> > > But I think that only goes for physical pain. Emotional, spiritual pain I can remember the exact feeling of it in such excruciating detail that its like bringing back the situation all over again.
> >
> > Yes, unfortunately I have to agree with you on that one.
>
> The interesting counter to that is when you're in pain, try to imagine what it's like to not be in it. Right now I've had an ingrown toenail for months (I really should see a doctor -- my usual strategy of letting it go away isn't working), and I've been trying desperately to remember what it's like to not have one. Well, I can do that right now because it's not hurting. But the instant I hit it on something, the thought becomes impossible. Interestingly enough, all the other toes feel fine -- but I still can't transfer that feeling to my mind to imagine what it would feel like to not be feeling pain. Am I making any sense?
>
> Stephen

When I was a kid I got warts from my brother. While they were burning them off my fingers, without benefit of any numbing at all, my dad started pinching me on the other arm. When I shot him daggers from my eyes, he laughed and said, "You're not thinking about your fingers anymore, are you?"