There is the *opinion* that we should concern ourselves exclusively with what is in our control, and there is the *active* concerning of ourselves exclusively with what is in our control. The former can lead to feelings of isolation and detachment. The latter leads to feelings of liberation and optimism (I speak from experience). All I concern myself with is philosophy, and as a result, I lead a supremely happy and full life.

This is missing the point, but there are successive nows, successive moments. He says, 'my nose grows now,' but right now, in this first moment, his nose isn't growing, therefore the claim is false, and his nose grows then, in the moment that occurs after the first. That is: the first moment lasts as long as the time it takes to make the statement, 'my nose grows now,' (approximately 1 second). In second 2, the nose grows because it is a different moment, a different now from the one in which the statement was made. So, I guess the answer is that his nose grows. Or you could just change his statement to say, 'my nose will grow in 1 second.' Told ya it was missing the point.

The study of philosophy, specifically Plato.

Sure. What is most beneficial is morally right, and what is most detrimental is morally wrong.

As regards the rack: I would take a lesson from BDSM people. They find pleasure in pain, to the point of not only not avoiding pain, but actually seeking it out. It is true this pleasure is usually sexual, but it doesn't have to be. I am also reminded of that scene in Taxi Driver where he holds his hand over an open flame for a considerable amount of time to either test himself, prove himself or ready himself. Again, the person is not only not avoiding pain, but seeking it out. These two views along with the ascetic and the adventurer suggest that the way to beat the rack is to change our view or attitude or thinking about the rack. Consider martyrs who are willing to be tortured and killed for what they believe in. Many times these acts of martyrdom achieve nothing but only function as a statement. All of these views of pain build up to the view we see in that episode of South Park with Mel Gibson. In it he is portrayed as a looney tune who actually wants to be tortured (on a rack, as luck would have it) for the FUN of it! It seems then that acquiring an insane view of pain would be the best way to beat the rack. Consider the success of the show Jackass. It turned pain into comic relief. Perhaps that is the key.

As regards emotional pain: I myself have somehow already acquired the ability to live completely free of every emotional disturbance, be it sadness, anger, regret, envy, resentment, bitterness, hatred, insecurity, invalidation, non-self-acceptance, self-loathing, restlessness, impatience, or what have you. I belief I acquired this ability from studying every form of philosophy, most noteably Plato, and by concerning myself most with studies in general and with my favorite artform. I live in a state of tranquility. The only two disturbances that ever cross my path are fear (very infrequently) and boredom (less infrequently). My discovery of how to overcome fear (by studying it) gave me the idea of overcoming all disturbances, rather than merely living without them. I would like to be able to endure each of the disturbances mentioned above in a cheery mannor. Currently, I am capable of undergoing frustration while being amused by my situtation (kind of like watching Meet The Fockers and living Meet The Fockers simultaneously). I acquired that talent from a friend of mine who was clever enough to figure out a way to laugh at his own misfortune. The most practical starting place would be boredom. Someday I hope to be able to be bored and also to enjoy myself and my boredom at the same time.

I saw one with "self-transcendence" above self-actualization. It's where you've actualized and are helping others to actualize.

The goal is to cease the illegal behavior. Where threats of losing freedom do not work, I doubt threats of torture will work. If it would work, I would even recommend rewards for successful pledges to cease illegal activity. The idea that a wrongdoer should be punished instead of corrected (remember that they are called Correctional Facilities) is oldhat. It doesn't solve the problem. It only allows us to take out our frustrations on the "bad guy."

I think there are two things two remember: 1) great pain does not usually last long, 2) physical pain need not result in emotional or psychological pain. While I am tortured on the wrack, there is no need to distress about being tortured on the wrack.

I have found that a simple attitude adjustment takes care of all my great physical pains (which are short and few): I look at it from the point of view of an adventuring ascetic. My pain is both holy and exciting. Now, it might take a little more than a simple act of will to don this attitude, but if you can manage it, it works. It totally takes the sting out of it, and renders it almost fun!

The only thing I have left to conquer is emotional or psychological pain. Last time I checked there were no ascetics purposefully inducing panic attacks or heartbreak. I believe this is the only reason I am not also insulated from this type of disturbance as well.

I have, however, learned how to beat fear: I study it. I categorize and describe it, and it takes the sting out.