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Mindfulness of Pain

How has mindfulness helped you deal with pain?

Mindfulness has taught me to recognize my feelings and name my pain. It has always been easier for me to recognize and deal with physical pain vs. mental/emotional pain. I am an athlete. Pushing through pain, ignoring it, or increasing tolerance for pain has been part of my daily life. No pain no gain, right?

Over the years, I have developed a high physical pain tolerance. I can breathe through intense pain and even relax into it. I have learned that physical pain will pass--or at least its intensity will ebb.

Mindfulness has helped me transfer my physical pain skills to my emotional/mental pain skills. I am getting better at sitting with and through mental pain. I can send myself love and compassion when the feelings are intense. For me, self-compassion is to mental pain as breathing is to physical pain.

I'm still learning how to best apply these skills when it comes to the pain of others. How can I best support others better in their pain (both mental and physical)? As a fixer and solver, I've typically sought to alleviate their pain. My executive mind jumps right into problem-solving mode. Solving problems (while valuable) isn't always what is needed or desired in times of distress. Being there for someone in their pain is when I feel most human. I'm a human. . . being with another. Perhaps that is what human beings do best, BE TOGETHER--especially in and thru the pain--and, of course, thru the joy and happiness too!

I'll write more about pain tomorrow.
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