Ajahn Jayasaro shared an interesting matrix on pain and suffering. We all go through all forms of pain, from mental, emotional to physical. And we also face all types of pain in our lifetime, be in lousy relationships, poor health, lack of money etc. Understanding the pain, the cause of pain would be important, but accepting the pain as it is (i.e.that is is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and non-self) would be more critical. The noble eight-fold path always starts from having the right understanding (viewpoint). That is to have the wisdom and discernment to see things as they are. By doing so, we haveaccurate perception and correct expression to exhaust past negative karma and accumulate positive karma to create a better future. Hence we can "manage" the pain to some extent. Avoid meditating on the negativity as it will only energize the pain. Instead, let us focus on the positivity to generate pain relief. I believe that with the right understanding, we will not develop high resistance to pain (here it means struggling with pain which causes more tension which then worsens the pain even more). With less resistance to pain coupled with the right understanding to accept pain as it is, and combined with having awareness (mindfulness) to create good karma, I see no reason why we must suffer immensely. Remember it all starts with a positive mindset. As pointed out by Rae Chandran, a spiritual teacher, in his book "DNA of the Spirit Vol 2", we need not have to suffer immensely to exhaust our negative karma. Why and how ? Read the book for this new spiritual technology to change your life.
