- Joined
- Oct 7, 2024
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- 260
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- #1
What is physical pain?
Let's start with the fact that we humans attach tags to everything, and physical pain is not devoid of that. First of all, physical pain is neither good nor bad, this is a fact that can be reached and experienced by anyone that dares to start a daily meditation practice. By observing pain neutrally (as a "bare sensation"), you strip away the emotional reactivity (fear, resistance) that turns a signal into suffering. Neuroscience confirms this: mindfulness reduces amygdala activation (fear center) and strengthens prefrontal cortex regulation. If you meditate enough, you will be able to reach a point where you become able to observe physical pain just as it is—a signal that there is something going on with your body. It just wants to protect your body, that's all there is to it.
Let's suppose that with enough mental atraining—by meditating—you reach a point where you become able to observe physical pain without any reaction. This is very good, because from this moment and on, you become able to exercise effortlessly.
How to apply this?
Pick and exercise. Do not exert yourself, simply do the exercise. Observe the pain without any judgement, and just let it be. Once your body accumulates enough fatigue it means you have to stop. If you’re truly present, you’ll sense the shift from "challenging" to "harmful." Stop there. there is no need to push your body, you just simply listen to it. There you have it.
Let's start with the fact that we humans attach tags to everything, and physical pain is not devoid of that. First of all, physical pain is neither good nor bad, this is a fact that can be reached and experienced by anyone that dares to start a daily meditation practice. By observing pain neutrally (as a "bare sensation"), you strip away the emotional reactivity (fear, resistance) that turns a signal into suffering. Neuroscience confirms this: mindfulness reduces amygdala activation (fear center) and strengthens prefrontal cortex regulation. If you meditate enough, you will be able to reach a point where you become able to observe physical pain just as it is—a signal that there is something going on with your body. It just wants to protect your body, that's all there is to it.
Let's suppose that with enough mental atraining—by meditating—you reach a point where you become able to observe physical pain without any reaction. This is very good, because from this moment and on, you become able to exercise effortlessly.
How to apply this?
Pick and exercise. Do not exert yourself, simply do the exercise. Observe the pain without any judgement, and just let it be. Once your body accumulates enough fatigue it means you have to stop. If you’re truly present, you’ll sense the shift from "challenging" to "harmful." Stop there. there is no need to push your body, you just simply listen to it. There you have it.
Effort becomes intentional but not forced. Exercising without inner conflict makes it a joy, not a chore. Consistency trumps intensity.
