Yes, strange but true... I love going to the dentist. Went again just recently and was sitting close to a window of the 10th floor looking down the “Paris” end of Collins St in my hometown of Melbourne. The best of autumn days, delightful Plane trees lining the boulevard, comfortable seat, time for a phone call with a relative overseas; what could go wrong?
Well here is the thing of course... the dentist awaits! Me with a very unhappy tooth in need of a major repair with the potential to escalate all the way up to removal of the tooth. And me with a long-standing commitment to not having anaesthetics at the dentist. What could go wrong indeed? But first
Thought for the day
He who fears he shall suffer
Already suffers what he fears
Michel de Montaigne
Going to the dentist is a definitive way to check out where our meditation is at; and how we manage our mind along with its hopes and fears.
Sitting in the dentist’s waiting room recently, the choices seemed clear. In that moment, all was good. Great view, comfortable seat, good conversation. With my mind on all of that; lovely.
If my mind were to wander into the fantasy of what could go wrong during the impending dental treatment – pain and suffering, the possible ignominy of breaking my rule and asking for an anaesthetic; with my mind on all of that, hope and fear – and misery.
So then the moment of truth.
Into the dentist’s rooms, the pleasant chatter, lying down on the chair, mouth open, examination, poking and prodding, drilling, repair work, tooth saved, rebuilt, no anaesthetic, completion, thank yous and goodbye.
Lots of sensations, but no pain.
For here is the key to pain management – and why I love going to the dentist. Pain has 2 aspects – the physical sensation, and the psychological reaction. The contention is that the physical sensations are just that; physical sensations. The hurt we feel, the distress, the aversion; all of that comes from the way we react to the sensations. The hopes and fears they generate, the conditioned, habitual attitudes around pain always needing to be avoided or masked wherever possible. So much to say about this, but it all comes into play at the dentist.
The first time I had a dental treatment without anaesthetic, it took several weeks of preparation.
The hurt free experience that resulted was truly amazing and liberating.
Since then, there have been several root canals with live nerves treated and many other procedures.
Each time a visit becomes a celebration of what a trained mind can accomplish.
Amazing; really wonder full.
Not to sound too proud, but this is such a useful life skill, maybe this recount might encourage you or others to retrain your own relationship with pain...
If interested, my books Meditation – an Indepth Guide and You Can Conquer Cancer have written details, while there is a download available from the website.
Personally, learning and applying effective pain management has been one of the great benefits from meditation and mind training.
I love going to the dentist!
COMING EVENTS
Is this your time? Your time for a deeper dive into the experience of a meditation retreat – some time out for you - the heart and essence of meditation?
Or maybe your time to learn the wonderful skill of teaching meditation to others?
Seven day Meditation Retreat – The Heart and Essence of Meditation
June 7 – 13
Everything about this retreat has been designed for experiencing what meditation has to offer more directly, more fully. Take time out, leave behind the activities and concerns of daily life and enter into an environment that supports the process of deepening the direct, inner experience. A gentle blend of teachings, guided practices, contemplation, optional yoga, and more... This retreat will offer the culmination of all the study, practice and teaching of meditation with which I have been engaged these past 50 years.
Meditation Teacher Training (MBSM)
May 11 - 15
What a privilege to teach others to meditate. Maybe you want to do this as a new career; maybe this is something to offer within your workplace or elsewhere? These trainings are approved by Meditation Australia and help meet their requirements for registration. And you learn so much and deepen your own practice once you start to teach.
A wonderful thing to do... Apply here
Three day Meditation Retreat - Deep Natural Peace
November 6 - 8
A moment’s peace. Deep natural peace. Sometimes we just need some time out. Time to step back. Slow down. Reconnect with the practice. Be in nature. Reconnect with our selves. Be refreshed. Experience Deep Natural Peace.
The retreat and trainings are all held amidst the natural beauty and serenity of the Upper Yarra Valley at the delightful Yarra Valley Living Centre.
So is this your time?
Details and applications to join the retreat and the trainings are available
via the website
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