Struggling with pain—physical, emotional, or otherwise? Discover how I found relief from chronic back pain through purposeful action and meditation. Learn 3 simple steps to transform any pain into a path to flourishing. Read my story and join Heroic Arizona’s mission at www.heroicaz.us! #PainRelief #Purpose #Flourish
Relieve Pain of All Kinds with These Three Simple Steps
As a 75-year-young member of the Heroic community, I’ve been navigating a challenging chapter of my life: chronic lower back pain. This pain, not caused by injury but by the natural process of aging, has been a significant disruption. Five weeks ago, I underwent major back surgery—a “double cage” procedure to immobilize affected spinal joints. The hope is that, after a six-month-plus recovery involving bone growth to stabilize the joints, the pain will significantly reduce or even disappear. Yet, post-surgery, I’m experiencing more continuous pain than before, though it feels different—a pain tied to healing, I hope. This journey, steeped in uncertainty, has led me to a profound awakening, one I want to share with you through the lens of Heroic’s mission and the wisdom of Phil Stutz, mentor to our founder, Brian Johnson.
Phil Stutz teaches that we are never exonerated from three things: pain, uncertainty, and hard work. For me, this resonates deeply as I confront not just physical pain but the broader spectrum of human pain we all endure. Beyond physical discomfort, we face emotional pain (grief, sadness), existential pain (questioning life’s meaning), social pain (rejection or isolation), psychological pain (shame or guilt), moral pain (witnessing injustice), spiritual pain (disconnection from higher purpose), and intellectual pain (grappling with uncertainty or complex ideas). These pains, like my chronic back pain, can feel fixed, eternal, and unending. But through my decade-long practice with Headspace, particularly a 30-day meditation series I’m on day 7 of, I’m learning to shift how my mind perceives pain—physical and otherwise.
This morning, during my daily meditation, I had an awakening: when I’m deeply engaged in activity—especially purposeful activity—my pain fades. Writing this blog post right now, I feel no pain. Curious, I wondered, how can that be? The Headspace series is teaching me that while chronic pain signals may persist (nerve signals traveling to the brain), how we process those signals is largely in our control. This insight applies not just to physical pain but to all forms of pain. Whether it’s the ache of loneliness, the weight of moral injury, or the disquiet of existential doubt, our minds can learn to reframe these experiences through purposeful action.
My chronic pain, while less severe than what others may endure, has been disruptive enough to reshape my daily life. Yet, as Stutz and Heroic wisdom suggest, I’m leaning into it. The surgery may or may not fully resolve my physical pain—life is uncertain, as Stutz reminds us. But I’m bringing tools like meditation to bear, exploring how to manage my pain rather than control it. This distinction feels important: management implies working with pain, not fighting it. Purposeful action—like writing this post, engaging with the Heroic community, or pursuing meaningful work—seems to quiet the pain, shifting my focus from suffering to creation.
This brings me to Heroic’s ancient wisdom about human flourishing, which I see as boiling down to three pillars: health (managed as best as circumstances allow), purposeful work, and meaningful relationships. I’m not yet certain if any action reduces my pain, but I’m convinced that purposeful action does. When I’m aligned with my purpose—whether through writing, connecting with others, or contributing to Heroic Arizona’s mission—the pain recedes, and I feel alive.
Some may hear Stutz’s quote about pain, uncertainty, and hard work and find it depressing. “If life is just pain and struggle, where’s the joy?” they ask. That’s the key to understanding flourishing. Joy and happiness emerge from leaning into the hard work, from embracing obstacles—whether physical pain, social rejection, or existential uncertainty—and transforming them into opportunities for growth. By doing the hard work to understand our pain, fostering meaningful relationships (which can sometimes bring their own pain), and pursuing purpose, we find fulfillment. My meditation practice, guided by Headspace, is helping me explore my pain, not eliminate it, but reframe it as a teacher.
To anyone experiencing pain of any kind—physical, emotional, existential, or otherwise—here are three key steps to modify, if not eliminate, the pain you feel:
- Focus on Your Purpose: Align your actions with what gives your life meaning. Purposeful work, like writing this blog or contributing to a cause, shifts your mind’s focus from pain to creation.
- Take Action: Any action can help, but purpose-driven action works best. Engage in activities that move you forward, whether it’s a small step or a bold leap toward your goals.
- Join Heroic Arizona: If you’re struggling to find or define your purpose, visit www.heroicaz.us and join our mission to elevate humanity. Together, we can explore purpose and transform pain into a pathway to flourishing.
Lean into the pain, uncertainty, and hard work. Through purpose, action, and community, we find joy. Join me, and let’s flourish together.
