But can you really separate the ailments of the mind from those of the body and vice versa, or does it only depend on the intensity with which you feel?
I am guessing that if control/separation is possible at a low level, it would be possible at a high, depending on "skill" - skill being limited but somewhat learnable. However, this would mean there is still a limitation to the separation due to intensity.
Can the mind exist without the body?
I have a feeling that it can and we would eventually be able to test this, but we aren't close to that yet. If we consider that the body is just a collection of arranged particles, that "platform" should be replicable. However, to trasfer a mind into a different substrate means understanding the mind - which we don't have a very good grasp of... yet.
I get the sense that physical pain is either far worse or far better if a mind can limit the intensity or appearance of suffering. Not that anyone wants to feel negative pain either :)