The Psychology of Pain

What is pain? What is its function? What lessons does it afford us? When is it time to let it go?

Pain feels like constriction and stuckness. Like a compressed, bundled, tight collection of energy that has coalesced in a particular space, and around a particular central issue. Pain occupies this space physically, emotionally, mentally, and vibrationally. Its unraveling and healing therefore has to address all of these domains.

Since pain occupies space it also occupies energy. Energy that can be liberated and set to serve us in other ways. In order to set that pain free it must first be understood, because as uncomfortable as pain is, it serves a purpose and function. It exists and is ironically often maintained as a signpost to where you are stuck, to a place you have forgotten, repressed, and carried far too long. A reminder of a place you are perhaps unwilling or unable to let go off in spite of the pain.

You can follow your pain into that uncomfortable and stuck place in order to unravel it. It will likely teach you something about your character, vulnerabilities, fears, and priorities. You can begin alleviating the pressure it creates by pivoting away from the constellation of behaviors, beliefs and perceptions that held it in place. Healing will require the same level of energy to that which created and holds the pain in place. But with concerted effort and with supports, that energy will shift from your definition of pain to your definition of healing and health.

Try it.

Remember it will require physical effort (yoga/exercise/improved nutrition); Emotional work (psychotherapy); Mental clarity (Meditation, breath work and dream work); and a Vibrational shift (all combined); Equal to the same amount of energy that caused the pain.