Coping with Pain: Part 3

Another suggestion is to have a different perspective of pain than the one you do now. Many enlightened teachers talk about pain as a teacher and state that we can learn from pain. In his book The Prophet Kahlil Gibran says, “the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” When I reflect on this I think that he means that sorrow creates more of an opening in us so that we can feel more joy. As such, if we can be more open to our sorrow we’ll create more space to be joyful.

He goes on to say, “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding” and that “it is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.” From my personal and professional experiences I recognize that due to our very deeply rooted habits and beliefs (the shell that encloses our understanding) that we often misunderstand things. So I take what Kahlil Gibran says to mean that we need pain to break our habits of misunderstanding and misperceptions. His perspective also seems to indicate that pain itself is healing. I interpret what he says to mean that it is much healthier for us to be open to pain, to learn to sit with it instead of trying to get rid of it or “numb” ourselves.

In terms of “sitting with it” you can focus your attention on the pain that you are experiencing. Try to focus on it without focusing on what triggered it. Breathe into the pain. By focusing on it and by allowing it to be there you will likely see that it dissipates.

Coping with Pain: Part 2

Learning and utilizing releasing techniques like the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and the Sedona Method is another way to cope with pain. EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture except that needles are not necessary. By gently tapping on well-established energy meridians in the body in conjunction with repeating phrases that highlight the struggle that you are having helps to release painful emotions. The Sedona Method is a means of asking yourself gentle probing questions that basically helps you to allow yourself to have the experience that you are having (rather than fighting it). We so often try to not feel what we are experiencing, whether it is anger, fear, loneliness, sadness, jealousy, greed etc. Allowing ourselves to feel these, instead of repressing them and/or judging the emotions (and usually ourselves for having them) diminishes the pain and suffering.

Want to make Changes Quickly and Easily?

People often tell me that they are very busy and want to change their life in a hurry. I help them do this. If you want to make changes quickly as well I can help you utilizing the Emotional Freedom Technique. Recently folks who have attended introductory Emotional Freedom Technique™ (EFT) seminars along with in-depth three hour EFT Groups have said, “EFT will help me to release difficult emotions instead of repressing them or releasing them inappropriately”, “EFT is a great tool, quick and easy”, and that is it “empowering to know that there is something to use that’s (so) quick”.

As a follow-up to these workshops and the work that I am doing in my practice I will be facilitating another introductory class where you will be able to:

• Gain freedom from even the most intense emotional issues.
• Reduce stress and anxiety in just minutes.
• Gain control over emotional eating, smoking and other addictions.
• Increase confidence and enhance personal peace and well-being.
• Overcome phobias

"I was struggling with emotional eating and it was very frustrating because I didn't know how to deal with it. With EFT, you helped me to get in touch with the underlying emotion that I was avoiding and you taught me how to free myself from it."

Annie
Los Angeles, CA

CALL AND REGISTER NOW
845-255-4175

Introductory Workshop
Wed. July 21, 2010 | 7:15 - 8:30 PM
$10.00 Pre-Paid by July 19th, $15.00 At the door

Coping with Pain: Part 1

In our culture we often tend to look for a “quick fix” and want to “get rid” of pain as quickly as possible. Most people want to get rid of pain and avoid it. We see this by the large numbers of people who are compulsively shopping, drinking, drugging, overeating and gambling. Having affairs and sexual compulsions are additional forms of avoiding pain. Engaging in self-injurious behavior is yet another example. However, wanting to “get rid” of it creates an internal fight that likely actually makes the pain worse.

It is very important to develop coping strategies that can be used for the rest of your life to deal with pain and problems more effectively. One suggestion is to observe your pain with curiosity and interest. Put your attention on the pain rather than focusing on what is causing it. Allow yourself to feel it. This will create some distance between you and the pain and hopefully less identification with it. This will give the pain less power and give you greater autonomy.

Group Therapy Part 4: How is it Structured?

A group usually has five to ten people, but this can vary. The group usually meets weekly for 75 or 90 minutes, though I have also facilitated half-day and all-day groups that meet only once.

Members of a therapy group agree that everything said, as well as the identities of those in attendance, will remain completely confidential. They also agree to relate to one another in a respectful manner.

These guidelines help to establish trust and safety, creating an atmosphere in which each individual feels more comfortable sharing.

Think of the therapy group as a kind of laboratory where we experiment with new behaviors and perspectives. In this safe space, you can create a vision of your ideal life and identify actions to create it. This has proven to be very effective for the participants.

It is important to note that for most people who resist being in a group once they enter it they often say that they are glad that they did and wonder why they waited so long. The support, encouragement and input that folks receive which results in transformation happens consistently and is heartwarming to watch and be a part of.

There are on-going groups and workshops, so call me at 845-255-4175 or send me an email at jeff@healing-wellness-counseling.com. to find out more about them.

Group Therapy Part 3: How Does Group Therapy Work

My groups are general counseling/relationship issues groups where you can address any issue that you are struggling with. All challenges are welcome to be raised. You will receive support and input about your struggle and be treated with kindness and respect.

A typical group session will begin with each person taking two minutes to "check-in", then we will re-visit any issues, concerns, or questions discussed in previous sessions.

Following this, we may have a general discussion about a common concern, respond to a member's request to explore and resolve a specific issue, or focus on how the members of the group are relating to each other.

In my experience over two decades, I have found that a combination of individual and group therapy sessions is the most effective way to resolve difficulties.

There are on-going groups and workshops, so call me at 845-255-4175 or send me an email at jeff@healing-wellness-counseling.com. to find out more about them.