Go stick your finger over a flame right now and hold it there until you can't feel it any more.

No, you wouldn't be able to do that. They burn themselves to death.

Burning to death only hurts briefly, when the nerves have had enough damage you can't feel. Adrenaline helps block pain, as well. Besides, self-immolation is not exclusive to those who have practiced mindfulness.

Ever had a severe accident, like a motorcycle accident, or been ran over by a car? The pain comes after, not in the moment when the trauma occurs.

Yes, the pain is only there before your nerves get burnt out, but even just a minute of being burned alive is enough to make any normal human being, including you and me, react involuntarily to the pain.

And yes, I have been in high pain incidents. I recall the pain happening during and after.

Yes, I know what it is. And yes, I think I could do it.

And I think I could fly, but I'm not going to try. See how that works?

I've been working two full-time jobs for more than a year now while maintaining a bi-phasic sleep schedule.

Think what you wish, but sitting there in pain for a few minutes while my life ends (by my own accord) doesn't seem all that difficult comparatively.

I take on very hard tasks daily, and sustain work on them for a lot longer than three minutes.

Don't make me challenge you to a vipassana, friendo.

Does your work normally involve very high levels of physical pain that would make any normal human scream at the top of their lungs?

Yes, I work in IT.

Why do people put monks on such a pedestal?

Which part of your IT infrastructure inflicts physical pain?

/r/iamverysmart

Your previous comment is about procrastinating for 6.5 hours every day while dreaming of changing careers.

You realize not everyone has the luxury of living like that, right?

I know right !