Bookmark

This was the hardest technique for me to learn. I mean how do you ignore pain that is so debilitating right? How do you stop caring about whether you are in pain is there or not when we are hardwired at birth to move away from pain?

To me this technique was the ultimate test of the depth of belief, faith in the diagnosis. If it hasn't reached your gut level of belief, 100% metaphysical certainty in your being, I think this is where it gets revealed

I think you have to parse this technique a bit. I found there was a difference between ignoring the pain and not caring. The self talk or mindset I used as I desperately experimented with this technique was different. When I tried to ignore the pain I expended a lot of energy trying to focus on a mantra or breathing. I also used music to help me not pay attention. When I tried to not care about the pain I would say to my brain I dont care about the pain, I know its real but there's nothing structurally wrong with me, Im going to do x-y-z anyway. Or "fine, go ahead, I know what you are doing Im going to keep going" This is when I would sometimes get angry at my brain.

Finally there is the technique of moving toward your pain which found is very similar. This was really hard to understand but Herbie and Steve O really helped. For me it meant focusing on the pain. Going right at. Talking to it, accepting that its there and knowing it will go away eventually even though it hadnt for months.

I have to say that I never felt like I fully mastered any of these techniques though now that I am free of major symptoms the version I use the most is going right at my brain and saying "really? you are really trying to pull that on me?" Then I just move on with life knowing its all, as the good Dr Sarno said "chicken feed"

My advice is dont worry about mastering this or anything else. be honest about your depth of belief in the diagnosis. Just keep trying different approaches. Figure out what works for you, this was the great advice many of the other members gave me. Be patient. Dont get stuck! Dont give up! You can cure yourself.