The following talk is given by Tara Brock, meditation teacher, psychologist and author.

Namaste and welcome.

I was talking a few days ago with some old friends who are both old friends and older.

And we were talking about body stuff, which is sometimes a conversation that happens.

And one of them mentioned that this is how it is when you get old, you have an organ recital.

And which reminded me of a story that I thought I'd share with you of a group of seniors who were talking about their elements

and one of them said, you know, my arms have gotten so weak, I can hardly lift this cup of coffee.

And another one said, you know, I couldn't even mark an ex at the election time, my hands are so crippled.

And a third one says, speak up. What? I can't hear you.

Next one, I can't turn my head because of arthritis in my neck.

Another, my blood pressure, Pelsmaik, me so dizzy, I forget where I am and where I'm going.

One more is, I guess, that's the price we pay for getting old.

Winston Oldman is the slowest shooker said and the other nodded in agreement.

But then one person spoke up cheerfully, well, count your blessings.

Thank God we can all still drive.

Today what I'd like to explore, gives us really ask, you know, how do we relate to the inevitable challenges?

And I'd like to, in this class, explore the particular challenge of physical pain.

And physical pain will be investigating it and the focus will be physical, though the understanding is that it's entirely linked with mental pain.

When we are emotionally in pain, we feel it physically in our bodies, so you can't really separate them.

But I'd first like to start as I sometimes do and check in with you and ask how many of you have really struggled with acute pain?

I really experience acute pain and struggle with it. Can I see my hands?

Good number. How many chronic pain?

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