No matter how healthy our lives may be, from time to time we get injured or sick. Even if an injury is localized, it can feel like it's taking over many aspects of life. Discomfort can be overwhelming. So we try to distract ourselves with medications or with activity.
This can be ineffective, as the pain is still there. We have to learn to make friends with our bodies again, even in the constraints of difficulty. We need to stop forecasting how long the pain will endure or how bad it will get and just try to get through the present moment.
The next time you are confronted with pain, rather than opening the medicine cabinet, try to sit still.
Notice how your breath may have shortened due to this pain. Try to lengthen your breath. It may take a little longer than usual, but be patient with yourself. When we are healing, we need patience.
Try to feel the beating of your heart. Understand that your bodily systems are trying to support you through this period of great stress. Understand that they know how.
Feel the area(s) where your pain is localized. Notice the contained energy that pulsates beneath the pain. This is the energy of your body trying to heal.
Try to feel where this energy originates and where it ends. Trust that your body knows what to do.
Then scan areas that are not in active pain, but may be holding sadness or anger. Injury brings much emotion with it, and this can slow recuperation if it remains in the tissues. Let yourself feel what you need to feel, and you may recognize that it is slowly able to drift away. You will be less shackled by your past pain, and free to deal with what you are indeed capable of dealing with right now.
Researchers have found that meditation boosts coping areas of the brain, as well as decreases pain experiencing areas of the brain.
You are powerful. You are strong. You can move through this.
