Transforming and Transcending Pain and Suffering…and, Learning about their Roots, Beliefs and Patterns

 Gerald W. Vest, LISW, LMT

“Genuine suffering can touch our hearts honestly to show us our need for greater knowledge. But, in order to benefit from its instruction, we need to look beyond painful experiences and transform the patterns that caused them. Of what value is our present education—in the largest sense—if it does not teach us how to do this? If it does not teach us to be free of suffering and pain?” (Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom and Time to Change)

We can all identify with the experiences of pain and suffering, however, our Vets, Returning Warriors and Families serving in the Military from over a decade of wars have experienced excessive and extreme pressure--stress, anxiety and depression. 

As Professor Tulku so wisely describes, “…we need to look beyond painful experiences and transform the patterns that caused them” into healthy learning opportunities, interaction and relationships.  Patterns of conditioning have their roots in the early moments of life.  Once born, our education is focused on learning to secure our safety and security while guided by our “Self Preservation Instinct” (Oscar Ichazo, Between Metaphysics and Protoanalysis)—joining our being with a society established with historical beliefs about how to be, live and relate with one another and with Mother Nature. Mommy and others, hopefully have open arms and hearts to greet us and welcome us into our new home and social environment.

This “Self Preservation Instinct,” not unlike the “Relation’s Instinct and Adaptation Instinct” are always seeking a successful, healthy response or answer to a “Living Question” as introduced by Ichazo:

1. Self Preservation—physically related to the Digestive System--answers the internal question, “How Am I?” Mother secures us safely by providing us love, kindness, physical nourishment that also offers us an opportunity for learning to give touch as we reach out to grasp our surrounding environmental teachers and lessons for learning. Perhaps we can recall this big leap into “school,” much like the Fool falling into the ravine with the Alligator about to swallow us up around the age five.  The Fool Card is in the First Position entering the World.  And, within the Knapsack on her back, she carries the unknown tools or trump cards for having a successful, challenging, learning and evolving Life Journey—the 1^st. Suit represented with Wands as Knowledge--“learning” from our problems--pain and suffering-- becomes Wisdom represented by Pentacles. All life experiences include all of the Cards—Cups represent our experience with relationships and is about Love; Swords represent transforming our belief systems into Truth. Beliefs are often based on fear, uncertainty, prejudice and ignorance. When we return to our entrance into the World--honest, open, accepting, allowing, trusting and innocent. We are Truth--One With Nature.  (Ichazo, Abstracted from Advanced Arica Trainings, 1972, Pittsburgh, Pa and NYC)

STRESS is the Result.

2. Our Relation’s Instinct, physically related to the Cardie-vascular System--heart, lungs, kidneys, bladder--must answer the living question successfully every moment as we are born very delicate, no defense, with many years of preparation ahead to become independent and secure—“Am I Safe and Secure with Who I am With"—inside and out? (Friend or Foe?). Father is generally the figure who has the role for providing safety and security for the family, however, often hasn’t learned from his own early childhood development. When the Instinct's living question is not answered successfully every moment of our lives, ANXIETY is the Result.

Note: A reminder from Pema Chodran, "When Things Fall Apart...", See my Bibliography. http://jerryvestinjuredwarrior.com

3)    3. The Adaptation Instinct, physically related to Brain and Nervous System,  must answer successfully the question about “Doing”—"What am I Doing?" Thinking-Reasoning-Analyzing-Interpreting reality in our heads can be overwhelming and produces activity—internal chatter that often appears and creates confusion and a host of inhabitants related to senses, association, questions, concerns, without awareness or mindfulness.

DDEPRESSION is the Result when we can not calm or quiet the Mind.

UPractice our breathing strategies, movement exercises and other forms of meditation to balance our whole being without pain and suffering.

So when can our Instincts, our Insecurities, and our life experiences lead us toward our realization, our uniqueness and our purpose for being without this Pain and Suffering? And, what must I do to transcend and transform this pain and suffering into health and resilience?

Start this Journey with a professional or individual Self-Care Plan as introduced on my webpage. Our Health Promotion Team is here to guide and help you through this pain and suffering with Integrative and Holistic Health Services.  http://jerryvestinjuredwarrior.com