Question:Hi, I've asked this of Buddhist before but the asnwer is a little beyond me. I'm in constant physical pain, I've studied the 4 noble truths and realize life is suffering and I've come across the idea of patient endurance. How can I apply that in practical terms to my situation? Thanks for answering, anything you say can be helpful, Marc
Answer:
Dear Marc,
It may be the last thing you want to do, but try focusing on the pain itself. Examine it, observe it as it changes in intensity, become the pain if you will. This practice has helped me tremendously in the past with eye opening results. I do not know of any specific practices directed towards pain. Most teachers would probably say something similar..."just be with it, watch it" . Pain can be used as a good platform for meditation practice but requires a great deal of endurance and patience with sometimes very rewarding results.
There are actually many Buddhist teachers that suffer from chronic pain. Darlene Cohen is one of them. I personally haven't read much of her website, but it has a lot of articles about it. The Website is here: http://www.darlenecohen.net/welcome/way.html
Living with pain, not with suffering - Bhikkhu Bodhi also writes this out of personal experience, you might check it out. Website here - http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,4168,0,0,1,0
"Instead of running away from pain, try embracing it. Be the pain."
- Palzang
I hope this helps Marc, do not hesitate to ask any further questions. I wish you well in your practice.
Yours in Dhamma
JC Ball
