How to benefit from your pain

The pain we have, especially recurring pain, is trying to teach us about ourselves.

by Inna Segal — 

Pain is defined in the dictionary as a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder, emotional distress; a fundamental feeling that people try to avoid, annoyance, something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness.

People experience many different types of pain. Clients have often shared that they are far more capable of handling physical pain than mental or emotional pain. However, it does not matter what kind of pain we are presented with — whether it be emotional distress, avoidance, depression, a broken heart or the loss of a loved one — there is always an opportunity for transformation. This type of change is not necessarily easy but it can be very enriching.

It is important for us to be aware that when someone or something is taken away from us, it is often because someone or something else is waiting to come in.

The pain we have, especially recurring pain, is trying to teach us about ourselves. It is there to bring our awareness to the areas in our lives that we have been either avoiding or suppressing.

Pain is a catalyst for change

For many, pain becomes a catalyst for change. Yet most people would say they prefer pleasure to pain. This means that when they feel good, they often do not have a lot of motivation to grow, question and explore.

Countless numbers of people have read spiritual or health books when they are facing challenges, but abandon them when they feel good. I am no exception; I would not have become involved in healing if I had not experienced excruciating back pain. I often say, “There was nowhere to go but within.”

No one could tell me what was wrong, and I knew that unless I found the answers within myself, I would not be able to heal. I discovered that every experience was stored in my cellular memories, and these experiences were either energizing and healing or leaking energy and causing pain.

Listen to your body, thoughts and feelings

When teaching about the secret language of the body, I encourage people to listen to their bodies and discover what they can learn from each experience. Life becomes richer and more whole. While Western medicine can be valuable, it often encourages us to blindly rely on pills and someone else’s judgment to heal, whereas intuitive healing allows our body’s own wisdom and intuitive ability to come forth. It encourages the body to heal naturally by releasing the dense energy that blocks connection.

When you feel connected to someone or something, you can communicate, listen and take action more easily, quickly and effectively than when you feel blocked, angry or disconnected. Your body, mind and spirit are the same. When there is disconnection, you may experience blockages and a rift in communication. This creates pain and disorder in your experience of life because the messages are not getting through. Disconnection can manifest itself as a disease or disorder, a trapped feeling where nothing seems to happen or go your way, or a traumatic occurrence in your life.

What you see, hear, sense and experience either helps your body to connect and run more smoothly, or puts the brakes on and creates havoc. For example, a woman who keeps hearing that after 35 she is too old to have children will often create aging or degeneration of her ovaries. Someone who has a fear of what will happen in the future can create degeneration in their vision or hearing. If you think that someone you work with gives you headaches, you will eventually create headaches. Of course, these examples are simple and obvious, but the mind/body/spirit is simple and will give us what we affirm.

To become empowered and learn from pain is to be aware. Pay attention and discover the secret language of your body. You will be surprised how many realizations and insights you receive if you simply tune in, pay attention and ask.

A simple exercise

Write down in which areas you are experiencing pain or blockage. Then start to explore how this physical or emotional pain is connected to what you say, think, feel and believe.

The first step to pain relief is to recognize what is causing the pain, on all levels. For example, a client had intense back pain to the point where she could not walk and would need surgery. When questioned, she related that her sister was taking advantage of her, and she felt responsible for everything and everyone. This weight was so heavy that it was literally breaking her back.

When I suggested she tell her family that they had to take care of themselves, she told me she did not think it would change anything. However, the next week she was walking without any trouble, pain free. She shared with me that initially she ignored my advice and the pain worsened, but a few days later she decided to give it a try. By the end of the day, her back felt much better. Within a few days, she could walk without pain.

Once you are aware of what is causing your pain, start to view this problem differently. Learn the lesson it presents and take action by changing your thinking and behavior, clearing your energy or start communicating with your body differently.

Communicate with your body

Instead of beating yourself up, learn to appreciate yourself. Talk to your body — ask it how it can help you to heal or release pain. Often you will receive messages to relax, be more patient and loving, eat differently, exercise, get a massage, go for a holiday or change your mind about a situation.

This is not always easy, but it is full of synchronicities, miraculous occurrences and experiences. We are guided inside and out by a higher, most profound intelligence that loves us unconditionally and has infinite patience. This is why we have so many chances to ask questions, try different approaches and learn. The biggest challenge is to simply ask for assistance, and then listen and take appropriate action. Help is always available if we ask.

Inna Segal is the creator of Visionary Intuitive Healing® and the author of The Secret Language of Your Body. She travels worldwide leading courses on healing. www.innasegal.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 30, Number 1, Feb/Mar 2011.