Adam - I was making a joke regarding the suffering element, due to the popular misconception often joked about by Jews I know that we are supposed to be suffering at all times.
As to tattooing, I play a lot with transcendence through body manipulation-- often in a bdsm context, but through pure ritual as well. The body begins as the vehicle, but the goal is attaining a different sort of consciousness where the body is not the focus. This may sound strange, but for me and my observance of Yom Kippur, it makes perfect sense.


"Yom Kippur is not a day of suffering. That is not the purpose of fasting. The fast is about transending the needs of the body that we might have a purer connection with our Maker. By getting a tattoo, you will be paying greater attention to your body and giving no heed to Hashem. I would strongly advise against this."

Hey West. ;) It was a 3-hr. session and went wonderfully and is healing well. Definitely a transcendent afternoon - was able to do the usual type of processing I do on Yom Kippur. I will post a pic soon.