Our emotions play a major role in manifesting a healthy and joyful life. When we are emotionally balanced we are able to move through lifeʼs challenges with some ease. Emotional balance is created by listening to our inner selves and allowing ourselves to feel and not suppress what is there. I have found that most people have intellectual understanding of their emotions and yet do not experience the depth of healing possible until they connect with the sensations of the emotions in a conscious way and become aware of where they are lodged in the body. This is the premise of the work I do every day with men, women and children and I am honored to witness their deepening relationship with who they essentially are.
A common fear is that if we allow ourselves to feel our emotions, they will take over our lives and we will never stop crying or raging or being in fear. Actually, the opposite is true. Just because we do not allow ourselves to feel our emotions, does not mean they do not exist. They work undercover and can potentially create havoc with our health and relationships. It never works to “sweep things under the rug.”
Many of our illnesses are created by a prolonged suppression of our thoughts and feelings. There is no separation between body and mind. We are complex beings and our experiences are registered in our physical body and it is through the body that we receive messages about what we need to pay attention to.
Having the courage to go beyond treating symptoms to focussing on healing the whole Self requires our attention to be fully in present time and to look within. This awareness then leads to the next step of fully embracing every part of you by sitting with the feeling without judging it or rationalizing it away. As the stuck energy moves, new awarenesses emerge and a lighter Self with a true sense of inner power is revealed. What we are able to do when we have emotional well being is respond to situations in a more empowered way and this results in a healthier, more peaceful existence.
Suggestions:
1. Remember to breathe deeply through the nose all the way into the pelvis.
2. Become aware of sensations in the body, just observing, no judgement. Is your chest
tight? Is there a warm flow or tingling in your body? Do you have pain in the solar plexus? Are your neck and shoulders in pain? Notice the intensity and quality of the sensation. If it is pressure is it coming from the inside or pushing down from the outside? Anything else that allows you to deepen your experience.
3. Feel the feelings and stay completely present with them.
4. Give yourself the gift of your full awareness and notice thoughts and memories that arise.
5. Remember, no destination, just listening.
6. Spend at least 15 minutes a day doing this exercise. 7. If something happens that evokes emotion, allow the emotion and access the
sensations in the body.
