> Sure we need contrast, but the absence of pleasure does not have to be pain. The contrast was the idea I was putting forward. Pain defines pleasure if that m

> Sure we need contrast, but the absence of pleasure does not have to be pain. The contrast was the idea I was putting forward. Pain defines pleasure if that makes sense and visa versa. > Pain is a signal from your body telling you something is going awry. I would say it is a signal from the mind (emotions can be painful) but I agree with your general point. > Now if you are talking about effort that's something else. Your body and mind are normally equipped for effort and will reward you according to the result of this effort. Cue, craving, response, reward. Is the craving not painful? If the response requires an unanticipated level of effort is that not painful? Do you see how it isn't so much about avoiding pain and more about choosing what cues you respond to and understanding what pain is unavoidable and/or what pain you are willing to endure.