Pain and discomfort are among the earliest factors that build consciousness.  They are 'alarm-signals' sent out by centroversion to indicate that the unconscious equilibrium is disturbed.  These signals were originally defense measures developed by the organism, though the manner of their development is as mysterious as that of all other organs and systems.  The function of ego consciousness, however, is not merely to perceive, but to assimilate these alarm signals, for which purpose the ego, even when it suffers, has to hold aloof from them if it is to react appropriately.  The ego, keeping its detachment as the center of the registering consciousness, is a differentiated organ exercising its controlling function in the interests of the whole, but is not identical with it.

• consciousness
• ego
• ego consciousness
• suffering
• unconscious
• centroversion
• other