”There is no coming to consciousness without pain.” ~ Carl Jung

Being in the field of counseling for more than 20 years now, I see a range of clients, who have many different and varied issues they need help healing from. But the common factor no matter what the issue is, is the pain that they all felt(or feel).

Pain on its own is a very universal feeling. We all, including me, have had our share of pains. So you do understand that healing from pain is not a simple process. There are a multitude of issues to work through and heal through in order to heal that pain. And no, no one size fits all approach can work either.

That being said, I have noticed that in trying to Heal this pain, there are many things we learn about our selves in the process. I have known so many souls, who claim to attain a sense of spiritual growth while trying to heal from their pain.

A question I get asked a lot, due to the spiritual nature of my work is ->

‘Does pain bring us closer to our higher self? Is there purpose in my pain?‘

To answer that question, you need to first understand what you higher self really is.

Just Breathe deeply. Now ask yourself: who am I? See yourself, exactly as you are in this moment right now. Now, slowly begin by shedding the layers of anything that’s weighing you down. Remove your fears, the daily stress and worries you carry. Remove the pain you’ve suffered as a result of external experiences. Remove everything that’s weighed you down, kept you small, and made you believe that you’re somehow lesser than you truly are.

When you remove the layers of pain, shame, stress, fear, worry, distrust, and suffering THAT is your highest and most authentic self.

The Purpose in Pain

I know, when the pain feels so deep, that it feels hard to even breathe…

How on earth can that pain have any purpose?

Denial of Pain

When confronted with pain, it’s human nature to look away, especially when you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes during times of crisis, you need to not pay attention to the pain and engage in compartmental thinking. Basically, you deny yourself the luxury to feel pain, simply because you need to keep functioning. Other times it’s essential to confront the pain and even own it.

Denial can be helpful, but when you engage in unhealthy levels of it, pain denied causes long-term mental health issues such as:

• anxiety
• panic attacks
• depression
• sleep disorders
• substance abuse
• social isolation
• hopelessness
• pessimism
• unexplained physical ailments.

Deep pain to looking Within

”Turn your wounds into wisdom.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

We feel hurt in many different situations and by many people, but deep pain compels us to seek and understand the meaning of life.

Especially when we are deeply hurt by someone’s words, actions or behavior, we feel very alone. We do try to talk to friends or seek help, but still there is this very private part of our pain, that can’t be shared with anyone.

In those times when we find no one else who can truly understand our pain, we become closer to ourselves, we learn to trust our own self and look within.

I can count so many times that I have been hurt over the course of my life.

So many times my heart was broken.

So many times I felt betrayed.

In those moments the pain was excrutiating, but I live on, correction, I thrive on, simply because I found the purpose of my pain.

It is during these painful times that we re-discover our true desires, realize our inner strength and understand the true meaning of life. Because in our hunt to find solace we realize that true solace from the outside world is within.

This is your higher self nudging you towards your spiritual growth.

Victor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor, in his book Man’s Search for Meaning, chronicles his experience and the lessons he learnt from living in the Nazi concentration camp. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, he argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.

At the heart of his theory, known as logotherapy, is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure but the pursuit of what we find meaningful.

Finding purpose in your pain is an essential part of healing.

I personally know of so many souls who have used their pain to find meaning in their life.

I know of a stage 4 cancer survivor who started an NGO to support other cancer survivors.

I know a teenager, who suffered from substance abuse and addiction, who now supports other teenagers by being there for them and guiding them towards the good life.

I personally am a trauma survivor, who found meaning in helping other souls find healing and happiness.

Don’t be discouraged about life if someone disappoints you. Know, that the pain has purpose.

Sometimes we have to go through pain because as we seek healing, we become closer to the higher power, heal others and fulfill our purpose in life.

❓💭Do you feel that there was purpose to your pain? What has been the one life lesson you learned from dealing with your pain? Share your wisdom in the comments. I’d love to learn from you.

💌 Thank you SO much for your presence here! I appreciate it! 
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