I have recently read several teachings from the Thai Dhutanga tradition and have decided to practice and investigate those dealing with pain. Taking the basis of separating the situation into the three parts of body, citta and the feeling of pain, one is supposed to acknowledge the place each part plays in the problem. Analyzing these in connection to a recent sinus headache, I was able to establish my first success in this new field.
My nose was troubled by the heavy air pressure. It filled with sinus, causing a mild fever and pain, which lead to a headache. Recognizing these as natural reactions within my body to a situation beyond my control, I next concentrated on the area of pain, whilst leading my understanding into rejecting the need to feel pain. I did this by instructing the pain to go away; it was not needed now that I was aware of the problem. The pressure alone would alert me to the fact I had a problem, and therefore the pain was irrelevant.
There was no need to develop a headache, once aware of a problem. Especially as I could not alleviate the circumstances leading to the cause of pain. There being nothing I could do to prevent nature bringing a storm and the prequel air pressure causing me discomfort. I did not need to be further informed of the fact my nose was ailing by this troublesome pain, nor the rising fever accompanying it. I told these blemishes to stop!
As with any practice, it does not lead to perfection and success the first time you try it very often. I had to repeat several times that the pain was pointless, seeing as I was aware of the problem and unable to do anything about alleviating the situation. My body was in trouble, but I was not able to produce the relief of pressure, therefore I did not want to be given continued worsening pain. When my body still refused to stop feeling the pain, even though it had lessened a little, I turned to investigate my citta.
Attempting a basic meditation, lowering from regular to calm mindedness, I once again instructed the pain to vanish, it being unnecessary. This time, I was able to remove the pain, leaving only the pressure and fever. Retaining the calm and peace within, I continued to work on removing the fever. Fever being a physical alert to inform us there is a growing problem in the body system; it was not needed, as I was aware of the problem.
Eventually, I succeeded in remaining low and calm and in removing both pain and fever. In the morning, the fever was back but the pain immediately ran into hiding when I stared at it. I may not yet have mastered this technique, but I shall definitely be attempting to use it on a regular basis on days upon which I do not need to work. Alas, on workdays, I do not have the time to work through this process and therefore popping an aspirin is quicker and easier. Perhaps when I perfect the pain removal ritual, I will be able to do it faster and then the need for painkillers will be completely removed.
One benefit from this that I have yet to fully explore, is the fact that dealing with pain as a separate entity to body and citta, led to hunger acting rather shyly. It was as if hunger was also a pain and thought it would be the next to be addressed. It peeped out at me, expecting to be dealt with. As I intended to fast that day, I decided to use the same method to deal with hunger should it appear more prominent later on. However, it decided not to risk appearing so I never got to see if the method worked on alleviating hunger as well or not. I shall continue to use this method to deal with further outbreaks of pain, illness and hunger and investigate further! It is certainly cheaper than painkillers, quicker than going to bed to sleep it away, and if it can also control my hunger on fast days, it will be a jolly useful learning.
