Working with intense sensations

- [Instructor] During these past few sessions of bringing mindfulness to the various sensations in your body, you may have encountered some level of physical pain or discomfort. We've been talking so far about simply remaining present with sensations wherever they are. But then you might wonder, is it a good idea to hang out with pain? Why focus on the discomfort? How about doing something to get rid of it or take your mind off it? Perhaps you can even recall George Carlin's advice, "My philosophy," he said, "is no pain, no pain." But in human life, pain is inevitable. From a survival perspective, pain is a call for attention. Certainly, it's important to respond in whatever way seems appropriate in taking care of ourselves. But what if you're in the midst of pain and you just can't get rid of it? A migraine, a headache, a backache, or you've just had surgery. What if pain relievers or other attempts to reduce it…