ABSTRACT
There are certain paradoxical elements in the use of pain to divert one’s stream of consciousness from worldly concerns, for the initial effect of pain is to rivet one’s attention to that part of the body that is in pain.1 Nevertheless, pain is remarkably effective in interrupting the ordinary flow of thoughts, and it is this characteristic that makes the production of pain via laceration of the flesh a useful practice for those ascetics wishing to put a stop to the mental clutter that they are otherwise unable to get under control through customary meditative practices.
