When it comes processing emotions, there are many teachings out there, saying
We should feel it
Don't feel it, just send it to the light
Journal to find out what it means for us
Don't think at all, just be present
Express suppressed emotion
Don't express our anger, transform it internally with our breath.
Attune to the source, the deepest truth
Just be completely honest with oneself
Allow everything to be
etc.
In a way, it seems to me like the linear mind is too rule based, and sometimes tries to follow a particular path in order to tame emotions. A set of rules can help to get a sense of control of the subconscious impulses and primal energies, that can never be controlled.
So, I follow my heart and see where I end up next on my journey, perhaps using all of the above points at different times. I see them as tools, even though no one else can tell me when to use which tool.
In a way, the teachings that I have studied in this lifetime have each helped me to master one or two tools, which is why I feel it is important not to get stuck on following anything in particular. For me, it has been helpful to go into particular teachings very deeply for a while, but then to also to move on when I felt guided to.
And then, even with all those tools, the journey deepens, and it is almost like life gives me higher 'levels' now that I can handle more. (using computer games as a metaphor here) So I can't say that mastering more tools just made my emotional processing like a walk in the park or anything. But without those tools I couldn't have done any of the higher levels :-)
So that is my thoughts I just wanted to share with you about the art of emotional reading. Please do reply with your own sharing. Much love&light
I have found that on my path, emotional processing started when my repressed childhood emotions started to break through as a young adult. They cracked open who I thought I was (my protector identity) and I was left feeling confused about who I was, and feeling vulnerable like a newborn. Processing at first meant understanding what the emotions and bodily sensations were linked to, having faith that they were linked to something. If you have never been given much space for your feelings, they can feel overwhelming, bad or dangerous. In this case, befriending and allowing our feelings is the first step. Talking to others and reading books like “the drama of being a child” can help you contextualise your emotions as they flow through you. When you feel safe to have your emotions, you can start to track back from what triggers you, to other times you may have felt like that. Emotions can be stuck because they are tied to unconscious beliefs you hold. Finding the beliefs and causes in your life can help you let go of untrue beliefs and the compensatory strategies that maintain them. This is powerful healing and much psychotherapy works on this basis. So when I look at this list, I believe the idea of ‘Both/ And’ is useful. One needs different strategies at different times. So, in general, I have found it helpful to: 1. Hold space for my feelings. This may mean being IN them at first, just to get them in the open. 2. Secondly, in order to become less overwhelmed by them, I try to step back, aiming to have one foot there, but keeping one foot here. 3. I float back to previous times I felt like this. I allow it all to flow, through my physical body and emotional and mental bodies. (Yes, even the so-called negative feelings, like anger, hate, vengeance - these are often like a cork popping open a raft of other feelings, and in this free-flow, I can gain understanding of the beliefs I need to let go of). 4. Rather than healing being a mental process, it is deeper than just that, it is about the body, and learning to soothe it, in order to feel safe and well again. 5. Sometimes it’s helpful to come to a place where we can communicate our feelings to ones we might feel owe us a apology. It is important to get to a place where you know and honour your truth enough not to need validation or apologies. Many are disappointed when confronting another. It is wise then to keep one's peace until you feel strong enough not to rely on that person’s response. 6. Honour and nurture your inner child, above all else. This is like putting on your own oxygen mask before trying to reach out to others. 7. The peace from this helps you to work with your unconscious aspects; self-honesty and non-judgement is of course crucial. In finding these and working with them, we are less likely to project them out ✨💛🙏🏼💛✨💗💞💗 Love you Michiel and All ☀️🐬🏝🌟✨💛✨ xx