Being with pain

[Happyogababe]

I have pain that fluctuates in intensity. I have begun to focus on it during meditation. That's ongoing pain. Currently, the second time in three weeks, I've got a painful muscle spasm in my neck. It spreads down shoulders and upper arms. I'm now attempting to 'be with' and be curious about this pain. Any tips?

[Peter]

Hi Happy,

What finally was a turning point for me, was when I stopped not wanting the pain and totally surrendered to it. A very powerful thing: 'surrendering'

Good luck!

Peter

[Happyogababe]

Hi Happy,

What finally was a turning point for me, was when I stopped not wanting the pain and totally surrendered to it. A very powerful thing: 'surrendering'

Good luck!

Peter

Thanks Peter,

I'll adopt that suggestion. Thanks

[JonW]

There are some interesting thoughts about working with pain in this interview I did with Vidyamala. http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/int ... ala-burch/
Also, I'll be posting Mindfulness For Health off to you early next week. That's got a lot more advice about working with pain.
I've been very fortunate in my life in that I haven't experienced much physical pain but I'm currently down with shingles (diagnosed this afternoon) which has involved, amongst other things, very intense stabbing pains in my face. Being mindful when all that kicks off has been incredibly helpful.
Cheers, Jon

[Gareth]

Here's a blog I wrote about pain a while back:

http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/embrace-the-pain/

[Peter]

Great blog, Gareth!!

[Happyogababe]

There are some interesting thoughts about working with pain in this interview I did with Vidyamala. http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/int ... ala-burch/
Also, I'll be posting Mindfulness For Health off to you early next week. That's got a lot more advice about working with pain.
I've been very fortunate in my life in that I haven't experienced much physical pain but I'm currently down with shingles (diagnosed this afternoon) which has involved, amongst other things, very intense stabbing pains in my face. Being mindful when all that kicks off has been incredibly helpful.
Cheers, Jon

Thanks for that link Jon, appreciated. I've pulled another muscle on the other side of my neck that's spread all across my chest, I don't normally get pulled muscles, rarely, so this is something to be very curious about.

Thanks so much for the book too, but no rush at all, you get yourself better. I've heard that shingles is very painful. I hope that you are better soon. Take care

[Happyogababe]

Here's a blog I wrote about pain a while back:

http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/embrace-the-pain/

Thanks so much Gareth

It was really beneficial to read about your experience and how you manage your pain by meditating on the pain. I also really like the quote that you included, that really makes perfect sense.

[Gareth]

I went to a seafood disco last week...I pulled a muscle.

It's the way I tell 'em.

[JonW]

Are we doing seafood puns?
This scampi happening.
If anyone knows any good fish puns, let minnow. Don't be koi. Take time to mullet over if you like. Don't leave it to salmon else. Or we'll find ourselves between a rock and hard plaice.
I'm here all week, folks.
Jon