I have had pretty consistent back pain since yesterday and it kept me up until the wee hour of the morning so it took me awhile to get in gear and sit my morning session. The body was mess and the mind kept churning up its usual fare of anxiety and worry punctuated by an awareness of my back pain every now and again. So, the session was difficult (I only made it 40 out of my standard 50 minutes) but it provided me with a great opportunity to turn to the perception of anatta (not-self) with regard to my thoughts.
As I sat watching my attention turn time and again to these endless thoughts of worry I realized that I could view them as they truly are: not me and not mine. They simply arose based on conditions, persisted for a moment and passed away into the oblivion. I can’t really describe the impact of the realization but it may have been one of the first times that I saw how a train of thought I had invested with a sense of self (MYself) was simply a phenomenon like any other and was devoid of personality. Now, don’t think I’m getting any ideas about nearing stream-entry because I’m not’ rather, I see now how the perception of anatta can be used to break through and short-circuit the hindrances in a way I haven’t had access to before.
Interestingly enough, without even looking for it, I listened to the following Dhamma talk by Ven. Thanissaro which had everything to do with our response to pain and how we hold it: http://dhammatalks.org/Archive/130729_Be_an_Adult_around_Pleasure_&_Pain.mp3
May this be of benefit!
Related articles
- Sabbe dhamma anatta (khalilbodhi.wordpress.com)
- Insight Meditation 101 – Vipassana from the Buddha (essenceofbuddhism.wordpress.com)
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Glad I found your Cattari Brhmavihara again. This one is helpful since I’m trying to get past the pain from my spine. It is good to read about your thoughts.
By: spikee21 on 08/17/2013
at 2:13 pm