Abstract

This text is an exploration of the current interpretations of the meaning of pain. Pain, most commonly explored for bodily meaning, occurs on multiple levels of existence, transgressing soul, spirit, psyche, and body. As transcendent provocation, the experience of pain carries meaning of the soul. The scientific and technological aspects of postmodernism have overlooked the healing potential of soul exploration and discovery. ;Just as the unseen atoms unite to form the molecules, that in turn combine to build dimensional matter, so the invisible archetype is made manifest through images and ideas that organize into the patterns of behavior that are conveyed in mythology. Mythology reflects life processes and it is life that animates myth. The physiological descriptions of the bodily tissues and their functions are communicated by way of the subliminal archetypes that construct motifs of meaning. One can tap the undercurrent of soul by reading the tissue response and the message of pain with an archetypal lens. ;As the physical body is the material extension of soul, "dis-ease," as an expression of the soul's discontent, can be approached for meaning via archetypal exploration. Mythophysiology suggests we look within and beyond the mechanical interpretations of body physiology to discover the somatic expression of the archetypal constituents that form patterns of meaning involving warriors, heroes, victims, guardians, martyrs, prostitutes, healers, saboteurs, divine children, teachers, and the crone/old man. ;Healing is facilitated through Jung's idea of the transcendent function, where meaning is developed through dialogue. It is my conjecture that a dialogue of exchange can occur between the realms of mythology and physiology utilizing active imagination, dreams, and scientific perspective to disclose unrecognized archetypal patterns expressed by the tissues. The third thing created is new meaning, which comes forth from the unconscious sleepy soul. Once the previous unconscious patterns have been made conscious, they are accessible for attention and design. ;Pain is an enigma of life that we seek to escape and avoid. Mythophysiology encourages an exploration of the body for hidden meaning by interweaving current scientific paradigms with the timeless reality conveyed in mythology