Is Pain the Catalyst for Consciousness?

Interesting question. After all, if you think about it, children do not begin to develop a sense of self until they experience the pain of separation from their mother. However, one might just as easily argue that pain is the result of consciousness rather than the catalyst for it.

If one contemplates the effect of entering into heaven (assuming one accepts Christian dogma about heaven) upon the individual, it is clear that both pain and the feeling of separation from God are ended. Likewise, it seems clear that free will no longer exists in heaven, presumably because it is no longer needed. Hence, it would seem logical that in heaven, we no longer exist as an individual but become part of God again, which basically means we cease to exist.

Joining with God in heaven would almost have to be like reversing the birth process: first you would lose consciousness of your world, then of yourself, and eventually you would be absorbed back into the "womb" itself.

Hey, I was just thinking this this morning when I was making sandwiches. I was ripping the lettuce up and thinking, boy, am I glad vegetables have no nervous system. I would feel so guilty doing this!

I then figured that vegetables are so profuse in number, they didn't need to evolve a nervous system in order to propogate!

Ergo, the answer to your question is simple. And pain isn't the only catalyst. Pleasure would be right up there.

er, as for the heaven part: our heavenly bodies are infact even more sensitive to pain that our earthly bodies. Hence, hell is indeed extremely hellish for souls

oooo. interesting.

Sensation in general can be seen as an indicator of consciousness, but it is often argued that people seem more driven to share/express pain (most "genius" art comes from miserable folks).

My theory is that it is just too difficult to express true, joyous happiness without making everyone else want to yack, so people express big feelings in general in terms of pain (for the most part).

Which brings us to "heaven". If pain is what compels us to change our situation, maybe heaven is just getting to the point of true acceptance of ones circumstances. If you believe heaven is a place you go when you die, maybe that is where you no longer need to be compelled to change things.

It does rather sound like non-existence...what's the point?

In heaven we will have new bodies and they will operate differently than the ones we have here on earth, just like on earth we only know happiness, because we also know sadness, this will not be true in heaven, I don't understand it completely because it is not a pressing matter now, I just know that I will be there in the presence of the Creator of the universe for all eternity, I hope to see you there!!! All ya got to do is trust in Jesus!

No, pain the catalyst for making change in your life. Without pain, then you see no need to change the status quo.

Awareness is the catalyst for consciousness. That should answer the rest of you question. God bless.

Pain is God's megaphone to an unbelieving world

- C.S Lewis

I thought that it was an intelligent question.

In heaven we won't have bodies that are susceptible to pain.

This is the stupidest question I've read in a while.

No, and it's creepy to think so.