When we first begin to open to emotion, it is important that we go gently, with great care and patience. We can begin in the body, noticing the movement of emotional energy. In much the same way we notice the coming and going of thoughts, emotions come and go- most lasting no more than a few seconds. We can begin to notice and explore the manifestation of emotion in the body as sensation. How does the body feel when fear is present? or joy? or boredom? Whatever the emotion might be, feel how the body responds. Get curious and specific, name what you find as you tune in. Watch how the emotion is there for a time, and then passes out of awareness, dissolves. As we watch this arising and passing, we have a direct experience of emotion that is disentangled from our story of self. We so often identify with an emotional state in a very personal way- adding an extra (and unnecessary) layer of suffering when a difficult emotion is present. How often have you said, “I am so angry” or “I am sad”. Can you feel the weight of that statement? Now hear the statement, “Anger is present” or “this is what sadness feels like in the body”. There is a space to the later way of relating. That space has the capacity to hold the experience in a way that is less activating, more compassionate, more clear.
Learning to relate to emotion as energy and sensation in the body, gives us the space to care for our experience with skill and kindness. Unexamined emotion has a way of solidifying into action, so this is important work. We can avoid a lot of pain, personal and relational by cultivating that space between who we imagine we are and what we feel.
Wholeheartedly,
kim