We can use the attention of the mind to lessen physical pain, or increase it. I have known that to be true, but I sometimes felt like I couldn’t speak on that much because I haven’t lived with chronic pain, or been through much physical pain, except for having a small baby and a couple of tattoos. I had even made the video below, “From Pain to Peace”, a few months ago but never sent it to my mailing list or posted it anywhere.

Then recently, I heard Vidyamala Burch in an interview for Sounds True. She is the author of Living Well with Pain and Illness. She has lived for over 30 years with chronic back and leg pain and spinal damage from a terrible car accident. She describes “secondary suffering” or secondary pain – the feeling that we add to the body’s primary pain with our own mind. By allowing what is to be there in the present moment and dropping her stories about it, she lives much more vibrantly and with peace. She teaches that to other people in pain.

I read that the Buddha said that 1/3 of our suffering is inevitable, part of the human condition, and the rest is caused by the mind. So, if you’re interested in 2/3 less suffering, try listening to my video (your eyes are closed for most of it) or to Vidymala, to get the idea of how to let go of resistance and mind-made suffering.

And next…

The “Bonus Plan” we may receive from training the mind to attend to the right places!