Relating to Sanjay's Pain Report

On Monday night's 360 Dr. Sanjay did a report on pain and overcoming it. The report featured video of men going into a trance like state and piercing their bodies with skewers. These men are members of a branch of Islam, known as Sufism. The ritual involves self-mutilation in the name of connecting to God. It reminded me so strongly of a similar ritual of self-mutilation that Hindu men practice in Singapore that I felt compelled to dig out some pictures and share.

During Deepavali large crowds gather at the temple to watch barefoot Hindu devotees walk on hot coals. The men work themselves into a trance-like state and are pierced with skewers, needles, and fish hooks. These sharp objects are attached to a large framed structure that the men carry as they form a parade that winds through the streets of Singapore. Large crowds of family and friends follow along offering support. I witnessed this procession several times when I lived in Singapore and it never failed to astound me.


And on a completly unrelated note, several days ago I posted a link to a video of Anderson set to a James Blunt song. I received many e mails requesting more information on the song and video. Again, thanks to gennia. And here is a link to James Blunt's music videos. Enjoy.