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:
- 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 1st.
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