“The key is to not resist or rebel against emotions or to try to get around them by devising all sorts of tricks; but to accept them directly, as they are.” — Takahisa Kora
When I’m hit with emotional turbulence, my first (and unconscious) response is to resist it. I may withdraw, repress, get depressed or angry and fight back. Yet life has brought this experience to me for a reason. There’s a message here for me, and it’s worthwhile to discover what it is.
How do I work with emotional upset? I consider these to be key steps for healing and growth:
- I seek a quiet moment where I can pay attention to my experience.
- I allow my feelings to be there without judging that they are a problem.
- I do my best to truly feel what’s there without getting swallowed up by the emotion. It sounds strange but a part of me can watch and stay detached while another part connects directly with the feelings. This balancing act comes with practice.
- I open to receive a message from my emotions — some new level of meaning or a deeper feeling or recognition of an unmet need.
- I take some action to address the need underlying the distress.
Most times, the emotion releases when I get the message. Knowing the purpose behind my feelings brings some measure of healing. If I don’t get a message, I consciously send love to the part of me that’s hurting. That, too, brings healing.
Let Higher Awareness guide you in this journey towards healing.
