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Notes on counselling

Psychological aspects of pain management — a consciousness
approach

Dr. Soumitra Basu, Sharmila Basu

Abstract
Though pain is inextricably linked with emotions and thoughts, the resistance of the physical plane
makes psychotherapeutic interventions merely palliatives. Arousal of the subtle body-consciouness
would offer better ways to deal with pain. Instead of dealing with isolated emotions, increasing the
repertoire of life-energy can be beneficial. On the mental plane, as subjects err more on positive self-
assessments, mindfulness techniques strengthen coping strategies more than cognitive-behavioural
methods. Finally the rasa or inner essence of dualities of pain and pleasure can be linked with Enanda
or Bliss-principle.

Pain is one of the most enigmatic aspects of life all our stresses and strains, conflicts and
and its psychological associations not only include complexes, joyous moments and tragedies
distress and suffering but also anguish and find their ultimate medium of expression.
remorse, nostalgia and grief and sometimes may What makes matters more complicated is that
be associated with love as well as guilt. This is why the physical plane of consciousness, which is
pain has not only been dealt with by therapists represented in the body, is very resistant to
but also by littere ateurs, artists, musicians, religious shearing forces and lacks the flexibility and
preachers, philosophers and mystics. Yet one malleability of the non-physical planes. In a
fact always remains true, that whatever be the way this has a great advantage, for the physical
non-physical concomitants of pain and whatever plane can provide a stability and durability
counselling or psychotherapy we may indulge to our existence. In another way, it has a
in, the final common pathway through which disadvantage. For a habit that gets imprinted
pain is expressed and also needs to be tackled here can be very difficult to be shrugged off
is the body. by overcoming the resistance of Matter. Pain
as a maladaptive habit gets consolidated with
The physical plane of consciousness structural mal-alignments, such as postural
imbalances in conditions like scoliosis or
The body is indeed the battlefield where deformities in conditions like arthritis. Such

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