[alexssung]

Videos of monks performing self-immolation are enough proof to me.

These monks practice mindfulness meditation for decades, and as a result, they have such control over their minds that they are literally able to "ignore" the pain of being on fire and sit still through the entire duration.

[jgtrosh]

And that is proof of what ? That some forms of mindfulness can overcome some physical or mental stimuli ? I think this can cause an increase in self-destructive behaviour as much as affirmative ones (as your example shows). Why would that be proof of the positive mental effects ? (I think it's what this general discussion is about at least.)

[alexssung]

It at the very least shows that mindfulness gives you more control of your reaction to your thoughts. A normal human being gets constantly bombarded by random thoughts, a lot of them negative, and it tends to affect his or her behavior. Mindfulness teaches you to be more aware of your thoughts and gives you the choice of allowing them to affect how you behave or not.

[Danihan]

I'm pretty sure I could do that too without much practice. Assuming it was an intentional choice, anyway.

Your body can only handle so much pain before it basically shuts off, and then you don't feel much of anything. The real pain comes later, when you're healing.

Not going to test it out though.

[olleromam91]

Go stick your finger over a flame right now and hold it there until you can't feel it any more.

[alexssung]

No, you wouldn't be able to do that. They burn themselves to death.

[erikbye]

Burning to death only hurts briefly, when the nerves have had enough damage you can't feel. Adrenaline helps block pain, as well. Besides, self-immolation is not exclusive to those who have practiced mindfulness.

Ever had a severe accident, like a motorcycle accident, or been ran over by a car? The pain comes after, not in the moment when the trauma occurs.

[alexssung]

Yes, the pain is only there before your nerves get burnt out, but even just a minute of being burned alive is enough to make any normal human being, including you and me, react involuntarily to the pain.

And yes, I have been in high pain incidents. I recall the pain happening during and after.

[Danihan]

Yes, I know what it is. And yes, I think I could do it.

[alexssung]

And I think I could fly, but I'm not going to try. See how that works?

[Danihan]

I've been working two full-time jobs for more than a year now while maintaining a bi-phasic sleep schedule.

Think what you wish, but sitting there in pain for a few minutes while my life ends (by my own accord) doesn't seem all that difficult comparatively.

I take on very hard tasks daily, and sustain work on them for a lot longer than three minutes.

Don't make me challenge you to a vipassana, friendo.

[thinkling]

Does your work normally involve very high levels of physical pain that would make any normal human scream at the top of their lungs?

[davzie]

/r/iamverysmart