Pain is a Teacher

I recently attended a breath activation ceremony, and it was during this deep and powerful experience that I received a profound message. It spoke to me, saying, "pain is your teacher." As I delved deeper into this revelation, I understood it as follows:

"Don't resist pain and discomfort. Avoid the temptation to numb, ignore, escape, deny, loathe, wish away, deflect onto others, or bury it deep within.”

And then I remembered the saying, "what we resist persists.” The essence of this phrase is that when we resist or deny certain sensations or emotions, they persist and may even intensify. I started to truly understand the significance of this saying. Recognizing that there is crucial information within those sensations and emotions that we must acknowledge and comprehend. If we deny this information by resisting, it will persistently seek various ways to communicate until it's acknowledged and understood. 

I spent some time reflecting on all of that to truly grasp its meaning. When I contemplate the human experience, it becomes clear that pain and discomfort are inescapable parts of life. While we may make choices to steer clear of certain painful situations, overall, discomfort and pain are intrinsic to the broader scope of existence. I've come to realize that resisting pain, whether physical or emotional, is a common instinct, but there's a hidden cost to it. When I began to view pain as a teacher or a messenger, attempting to convey something important, I realized that I might miss valuable opportunities for growth and healing. Once the message is delivered or the lesson learned, the class is over. Pain doesn't need to linger once it's made its point. 

So, what might pain be trying to teach us? I tried to think of an example from my own life where my resistance to pain only made it worse before it got better. And then it hit me: my arm pain.

In late summer of 2022, I began to experience discomfort in my left upper arm. Initially, it felt like a sore muscle, much like the aftermath of an intense arm workout. Over time, I started to experience shooting pain with sudden movements, and my range of motion became severely limited. By December, I could barely raise my arm, and it occupied a significant portion of my thoughts. I sought various healing modalities, including physical therapy, acupuncture, specialized chiropractic care (NUCCA), and Reiki. The hours I spent worrying about it and attempting to find a solution far exceeded what I'd like to admit. I was feeding so much resistant energy to this “problem” that it would not quiet down.

Early in 2023, I turned to my newfound favorite healing modality: psychedelic medicine. I hoped to access my subconscious and uncover hidden information. During this journey, I unearthed repressed trauma. Without delving into the details of that experience, I can say that the mere awareness of this trauma and the desire to process it and understand how it had affected me throughout my life was the healing my arm needed. At the time, I had no inkling that my arm pain was linked to repressed emotions, but now, reflecting on the past year, I understand that the information was attempting to reach me. My unconscious mind had kept it concealed to protect me, and it had found a refuge in my arm. As I became aware of these unprocessed emotions and allowed myself to work through them and feel them, the pain began to fade.

Today, my arm is about 99% healed. I now have full range of motion. I say 99% because I still experience very mild discomfort when I stretch it too far. I like to think that this remaining 1% serves as a gentle reminder of how far I've come with my arm pain (the teacher) and understanding mind-body connection (the lesson). It's an awareness that, when I experience physical or emotional pain or discomfort, there's often more beneath the surface. It's time to dig deeper, understand what's really going on, and transform that pain into an opportunity for growth. 

So, I invite you to embrace pain as a teacher rather than resist it. Allow it to reveal what needs attention. When you’re feeling pain or discomfort, set aside time to pause and reflect. Ask yourself what the pain might be trying to convey. Journaling and meditation, or talking to someone can help you explore your feelings and thoughts. Look beyond the surface, and be open to the lessons pain can offer. It’s through this introspective journey that you can transmute pain into personal growth and healing. Remember, it’s not about seeking pain or focusing on the pain, it’s about using it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your path to wholeness.

If you need support in this process, consider scheduling a session with me, and together, we can work towards uncovering what your pain is trying to convey.