Feelings and Signals

We have a tendency to live in search of feelings rather than see that they indicate or signal something.

"I want to be happy." But dig deeper and what we usually mean is that we want to feel happy.

But feelings indicate realities that may not be visible.

Physical pain indicates realities that you may not be aware. If a spinal disc is out of place, you may experience GREAT pain. But if you adjust your life to eliminating that pain, feeling the absence of that pain, then you are skipping down the wrong path. The pain is BECAUSE something maybe amiss.

THE PAIN ISN'T THE POINT. IT IS POINTING.

This is true with physical pain the same way it is true with emotional or spiritual pain.

"Arg, but you are merely denying my pain!"

Quite the contrary. Your focus on solely eliminating the pain denies the pain. Pain's point is to point. You may be saying pain's point is to be removed. Pain's not there to disappear. It is suppose to disappear when the not-easily-seen reality is back to good.

"Ah, so you're saying pain means that I should stop wallowing in it and fix it!"

Actually, that's not what I said. I just said it points to an unseen reality. I'd hate to break it to you, but not every reality can be handled by your strategizing, planning, scheming, charm, whining or general manipulation.

Suppose you fell and received multiple fractures on your leg and arm. Does that say you have to set and fix your injuries?

"Well no, but I have to ask for help. And I'd better ask nicely."

Okay, why do you have to ask nicely? Because you are dependent upon another to help you, right. So really this issue is not what you need to do/act. But, that you need to trust.

So, the pointing is not always about you. Perhaps the pointing is toward another. Perhaps it's not a pointing to condemn. Perhaps it's pointing to indicate where you may need to rest your trust.