If Pain Is Self-Created, Why Do I Feel Powerless to Stop It?

Pain is universal. Whether it’s a sharp pang of grief, the weight of depression, or physical discomfort that lingers for years, every human being has felt its pull. Yet, pain is often misunderstood. We see it as an external enemy, something inflicted upon us by the world or our circumstances. But what if I told you that all pain—yes, all—is created from within?

This idea may feel uncomfortable or even frustrating at first. After all, if pain is self-created, shouldn’t it be simple to stop it? The answer is that while pain arises within us, it isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. Instead, it’s the life force itself—our aliveness, our love, our stillness—trying to guide us. Pain, at its core, is a signal, a reflection of inner conflict, and an opportunity to return to harmony.

Understanding Pain Through the Life Force

Pain, whether emotional or physical, doesn’t occur in isolation. It’s not random or meaningless; it’s a result of resistance within the flow of our life force. Imagine a river flowing freely, clear and full of life. When we place obstacles in its path—whether through unprocessed emotions, limiting beliefs, or physical injuries—the flow becomes disrupted. The tension and pressure created by this disruption are what we experience as pain.

The life force is always working to restore balance. It’s the same energy that heals a wound, repairs broken bones, or motivates us to overcome challenges. When we feel pain, it’s the life force alerting us to something that needs our attention. Ignoring it or suppressing it—through medication, distractions, or avoidance—doesn’t solve the problem; it just keeps the obstacle in place.

Why Pain Feels Unstoppable

If pain arises within us, why do we feel powerless to stop it? The answer lies in how we approach it. Pain often feels overwhelming because we see it as something to be fought or defeated. But the truth is, pain isn’t our enemy. It’s a message—a request from the life force to pay attention to what’s out of alignment.

Think of emotional pain. When someone says something hurtful, the pain doesn’t come from their words; it comes from the inner conflict their words create within us. Perhaps their comment clashes with how we see ourselves, or it reopens an old wound we haven’t healed. The pain is the tension between these conflicting views, and the only way to resolve it is to address the conflict directly.

The same principle applies to physical pain. A pulled muscle, for example, involves a physical strain, but there is also an inner tension—an energetic conflict—that holds the pain in place. The life force works tirelessly to resolve this conflict, but if we resist or ignore its flow, the pain persists.

The Role of the Still Point

Resolving pain requires us to connect with the still point—the place where the life force flows freely, unencumbered by obstacles. The still point isn’t a fixed state; it’s dynamic, alive, and ever-present. It’s where we feel in the flow, fully present and at peace.

When we experience pain, it’s a sign that we’ve moved away from the still point. Returning to it involves recognising the obstacle, allowing the life force to flow around and through it, and letting the conflict dissolve. This can feel daunting, especially if the pain is deeply rooted, but it’s also incredibly liberating.

The Boulderstone Technique is designed to guide people back to this state. By accessing just enough of the memory or conflict to process it safely—without becoming overwhelmed—it allows the life force to do what it’s meant to do: heal, restore, and bring us back to balance.

Why Suppressing Pain Keeps Us Stuck

Modern life offers countless ways to suppress pain. From painkillers to distractions like alcohol, work, or social media, it’s easy to avoid addressing the root cause. But these methods only create more barriers to the life force. They quiet the signal without solving the problem, leaving the pain to resurface later—often in more intense or unexpected ways.

Suppressing pain is like covering up a warning light on your car dashboard. The light isn’t the problem; it’s alerting you to an issue that needs attention. Ignoring it doesn’t make the issue go away—it just allows it to worsen.

How to Move Through Pain

So, how do we resolve pain if suppressing it isn’t the answer? The key lies in working with the life force, not against it. Here’s how:

1. Acknowledge the Pain: Recognise it as a signal, not an enemy. Pain is your body and mind’s way of guiding you.

2. Connect to the Still Point: Allow yourself to become present, quiet the noise, and feel the flow of the life force within you. This might involve meditation, deep breathing, or working with a skilled practitioner.

3. Address the Obstacle: Whether it’s an unresolved memory, a limiting belief, or physical tension, let the life force guide you to what needs to be released.

4. Trust the Process: Healing isn’t about forcing or fixing. It’s about allowing the life force to flow freely, knowing it has the power to restore balance.

   
   

The Opportunity in Pain

Pain isn’t a punishment or a failure; it’s an invitation. It’s the life force calling us to let go of what no longer serves us and return to a state of harmony. When we stop resisting pain and start listening to it, we unlock the power within us to heal, grow, and thrive.

The next time you feel pain, instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What is this trying to teach me?” By working with the life force and connecting to the still point, you’ll discover that pain isn’t something to fear—it’s something to learn from.