why am i such a baby when it comes to physical pain? given, most people don’t enjoy it. do i despise it more than anyone else? do i share it more than anyone else? am i feeling more pain than most people? somehow, i think the answer to the latter is no and that is why i question this.

there are two types of pain: physical and emotional. the physical pain is aggrevating but often goes away easily over time (or else your body adjusts to it). the same is supposedly true for emotional pain but it tends to take more time and the dullness still spikes at you when you least expect it.

i can cope with emotional pain. it is aggrevating but i can deal with it. (maybe because i have done it for so long?) physical pain is another issue. even my monthly menstrual cycle drives me insane. “good pain” such as that from exercising makes me grumble even though i know the pain is there for a good reason. on the other hand, when i don’t feel pain after exercising, i feel like i did not work hard enough.

what is the relationship one has with pain? some say that pain is necessary. “it lets you know that you are not dead.” zen says that it is only natural. suzuki discussed it, mentionning that pain is a reality for every beginner trying to meditate. the sitting position will be painful for quite some time. suzuki also says that one should not give up because of the pain even when frustrated. although it hurts now, practice will eliminate the pain and discomfort of sitting. (i am still in the painful state.)

regardless, what does pain do for us?

[thoughts of today for later elaboration:]

why is beauty so imporant to people?
why is it necessary for us to label and class people?