Title: The Physics of Suffering: Attention as a "Congealing Projector" Subtitle: The precise mechanism by which 'mind at work' builds your pain, from The Shastra of No Mind Date: 2025-12-17 Tags: attention, psychology, chronic pain, mindfulness, no mind We speak of "paying attention," but rarely consider what we're actually paying with. Attention is not neutral. It is currency. It is creative force. And according to the framework in The Shastra of No Mind, it is the very substance that builds and sustains the experience of illness—both physical and psychological. The process is called "the congealing projection of attention." Let's break down this precise mechanism: The Cycle of Solidification: The Unconscious Spark: A random sensation, memory, or fearful thought arises. "My heart skipped a beat." "That old back injury is acting up." "I'm so overwhelmed." The Hook of 'Mind at Work': Instead of letting it pass, the 'mind at work' (youxin) latches on. It identifies with it: "This is my pain. My problem. My anxiety." This identification is the first act of projection—you project "selfhood" onto a transient event. The Energy Lock: Your conscious energy (attention) now follows this projection and becomes stuck on the location—the body part, the emotional feeling, the mental loop. Like a laser pointer held perfectly still, it stops the natural flow. Congealing into Form: Sustained focused energy alters the frequency of the life energy in that zone. Flowing, high-frequency energy slows, densifies, and congeals. This is not just metaphor. This densified energy is the pain, the tension, the tightness in your chest, the heavy depression. It is energetic ice. The Feedback Loop: The now-solidified sensation ("the ice") feels even more "real" and threatening, which causes the 'mind at work' to panic and focus even more attention…