Written by: Jack Blackburn
Aversion to pain: The Buddha discovered the there are two factors that are the primary sources for suffering; attraction and aversion. We make such a close connection between pain and suffering that, when our body gives us unusual pain signals or discomforts, our first reaction is fear: What does this mean? Is it something really bad? Where did it come from? Who caused it? We automatically assume that we have, or someone else has done something wrong. Thus pain +fear = suffering = punishment = blame. It is very clear that all sentient beings experience pain, but humans are the only ones who mentally connect pain, suffering, blame, and punishment. In most cases of pain we are trying to escape any connection between something we have done wrong and the pain we or someone else is experiencing. This can also evoke guilt in caregiver when they can’t lessen their client’s pain, or when it gets worse after a session. Because of this conditioning we all have a natural aversion to pain. From the Buddha’s perspective, the very fact of our aversion to pain in itself produces suffering.
But upon closer scrutiny we can break this mental connection between pain and suffering. Probably the first step in breaking this linkage is to recognize the very important role that pain plays in all sentient life. Dr. Paul Brand, hand surgeon, years ago wrote a book called Pain, the Gift that Nobody Wants. In his book he describes the importance of bodily pain signals by discussing the very unfortunate condition patients with Hanson’s disease (leprosy). They literally “wear out” the usefulness of their bodies because they cannot feel their bodies’ pain signals. Thus they keep reinjuring themselves, aborting any chance for normal body healing processes. After directing a research program which produced these findings, Brand devoted much of his professional work towards changing our attitudes towards pain and about our tendency to connect pain with fear, blame, and suffering.
Controlled pain: One factor that Dr. Brand experimented with is that introducing a “controlled or benign pain” is able to reduce or even replace a more pernicious or debilitating painful experience. This approach to pain has been used throughout human history and exists in many modern forms of treatment. For Brand this evidence provoked even more questions about the role of pain in our lives. He gives many case examples in his book of guiding his patients directly into their painful region. He documents how with his guidance the patients’ fear and aversion would be lessened. Probably because of his assurance and support as an authority on pain, his case studies do not reflect his clients’ associations with blame, guilt or punishment. His patients went through dramatic positive life affirming changes, instead of some kind of therapeutic reconciliation with past events. Those amazing changes are reminiscent of life shifting reports from persons reporting…