Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Pain Body



Have you ever noticed how some people will touch something off in you, and before you know it, "pain bodies" are colliding? Family members are really good at this.

"Pain body" is Eckhart Tolle's description of "remnants of pain left behind by every strong, negative emotion that is not fully faced, accepted, and then let go of, join together to form an energy field that lives in the very cells of your body. It consists not just of childhood pain, but also painful emotions that were added to it later in adolescence and during your adult life, much of it created by the voice of the ego. It is the emotional pain that is your unavoidable companion when a false sense of self is the basis of your life."

He goes on to say "If there are other people around, preferably your partner or a close family member, the pain-body will attempt to provoke them - push their buttons, as the expression goes - so it can feed on the ensuing drama." Tolle sees the ego as a gobbler of drama. "Instinctively it knows your weakest, most vulnerable points. If it doesn't succeed the first time, it will try again and again. It is raw emotion looking for more emotion. The other person's pain-body wants to awaken yours so that both pain-bodies can mutually energize each other."

I don't know about you, but this week has been a demolition derby for my pain-body. I think I'll take a break from all the crazy emotions stirred up out there. Avoid everyone for a few days. Maybe the energy will shift back, and my pain-body can go back to napping.

Now where are my headphones and that OM cd...

27 comments:

sas said...

This is a fascinating concept. I must find Tolle's book - is this from the new earth one? Thanks lovely lady. Take care of you over the next few days.

Ruth said...

I've been fascinated by Tolle's pain body concept since reading Power of Now.

Come by my place and listen to some music.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Tolle's book is filled with wisdom. And it all boils down to living in the moment.

Hilary said...

Wow..I sure can relate to that concept. I'll have to look into this some more. And it looks like your spammer's pain body is trying to provoke yours! ;)

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Nancy: Tolle's thoughts are not new (see Delwyn's post today) we all carry our share of pain - and some of it is literally stored in our body. Some people who lose lots of weight, find painful emotions emerge as they shed the pounds!

Of course you know what you need to do, but Tolle suggest it be faced, accepted and let go. If you zone out . . . it will be there waiting for you when you zone back in! Although, if you are like me, you may have developed a knack for repression.

:) Take care of yourself.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I acn relate to this, especially this week with all the family and drama that has ensued. I have so far managed to stay above it and just observe and comment from time to time. From past experience I know not to let it overtake me. Hang in there, this, too shall pass.

Tess Kincaid said...

Interesting concept. What is it with the stars this week? It's been weird here, too.

Pat said...

Short of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying, "LA, LA, LA", I recommend you go to your room, bring a nice cup of tea (and if you want, lace it with something strong), pull down the shades, listen to some soothing music, and don't come out till you're your old self again. :) Take care, my friend.

DJan said...

Wish I could read Chinese. That post looks filled with links. As far as the stars go, Mercury is retrograde until the 29th, we have the equinox on the 21st, and Rosh Hashanah is this coming Saturday. So there's lots going on. Hope you take some much needed R&R. Thinking about you, sending you good thoughts of peace and relaxation. Oh, and BTW, the 21st is the International Day of Peace.

Brian Miller said...

hoping your demolition derby slows a bit. intriguing concept that seems to have a ring of truth...

The Good Cook said...

I can totally relate to this concept. There are some memories that just set me off... I try to block it but perhaps it is better to face them, then sign them off.

Feel better. Feel centered.

ellen abbott said...

I know from experience that it is better to face it and then let it go. Otherwise it just gets more insistent until you do. Wouldn't hurt to relax first so you can deal with it with a calm heart and mind.

Anonymous said...

I agree with your other readers...
Escape somehow! Into your head, into a book, into a hot cup of tea.

This happens often to me. I find myself running away from these feelings and the people who cause them, which isn't always healthy.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"preferably your partner or a close family member, the pain-body will attempt to provoke them - push their buttons, as the expression goes - so it can feed on the ensuing drama."

Wow, that explains a lot. Think I'll go into hiding, too.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

What a very interesting concept and it certainly does make sense. Kind of like negativity draws more to itself. I'm particularly interested in facing that pain body so that it doesn't return and can move on. I must pick this book up!

Jen said...

I quote Eckhart all the time! I think my pain body and Cole's pain body have been clashing in the middle of the night! Subconsciously!

Ladybird World Mother said...

Oooh. Must google this more to learn more... sounds amazing. Meantime, sounds like a good idea that you just get your headphones out...hope it works!

Sylvia said...

Well, I know it's true. Sometimes things get so hard that we feel the need to unload the weight and those ones who live with us suffer the most. Happily, we understand and live through those crisis. The poor family has no fault of our problems outside, but we live to hold and relief each other's pain anyway. It's all part of being a family.

Rosaria Williams said...

This is a new concept for me. I shall have to learn about this.

L'Adelaide said...

I know too much about the pain body and do wish I too could escape however, it has been my experience that, in attempting to escape, one ends up more enmeshed...hoping you find some time just for you and you and you, and only what you want and need around you until you feel recharged...

we are changing seasons and even in calif. we feel it...in my bones is where I feel it and the fibro kicks up and it has hurt for days...I spend lots of time soaking in salts in the tub...where, I am also quite alone and unbothered ! :)
xo

Missy said...

Rgarding your comment on my blog....what's the book about???

robert said...

...you may only imagen how moving this was to read...all the very best to you and a nice remaining week...

GYPSYWOMAN said...

listen, go get your FEEL GOOD whatever and shut the door on anything else - and don't forget - you have the power to FEEL GOOD no matter what! thinking of you!

Linda Pendleton said...

A good way to clear out the junk is to turn off any and all TV news. And to also avoid those who always tend to push our buttons. I don't need mine pushed, how about you?

I've not read Tolle but it makes sense as that concept always has.

~JarieLyn~ said...

I can definitely relate to this. I also think that there is a correlation with emotional tension and my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I seem to have a really bad flare up every time I am going to visit my family.

I love Ekhardt tolle.

I agree with Rob & Trish that it boils down to living in the moment. Sometimes that is really hard to do.

Cloudia said...

Yes, Tolle has something....it is in his words but stirs a recognition in us, eh?


Aloha


Comfort Spiral

Marguerite said...

I, too, would love to read this book. I totally agree with you on this pain body concept. A little Zydeco music and dancing might help to release any pent-up emotions. Cheers!