Hello Everyone,

In my last blog we begun an inquiry into the nature of aliveness and the blocks that might show up to prevent our connection to the aliveness that is within each one of us in every moment.

At times we can get distracted by our thoughts, others around us or our to do lists which keep us in our heads rather than in our bodies and hearts.  However, if we take a moment to connect to our breath, to our energy and the sensations in our bodies we can notice the pulse of life moving through us in every moment.

One of the main blocks to us feeling more alive and thus living life fully is our resistance to our emotions.  Any time we avoid feeling we are running from life itself.  Any time we suppress or judge our feelings we create blockages in our energy and in our bodies.  It does not necessarily mean that we will like everything we feel but we will feel more connected and more alive when we can be and embrace our whole selves.

Emotions are so often misunderstood (Raphael Cushnir).   Inherently there are no negative or positive feelings.  Emotions are just energy in motion.  However when we judge what we are feeling as wrong or make a story about them we stop the natural flow.  Often we don’t want to feel our sadness, or our anger because we think it says something about us.  For example, we might tell ourselves, f I am angry with someone then it means I must not be a loving person or no one will love me.  That is an example of a story.  Everyone feels sadness and anger sometimes and the important thing is to allow ourselves to feel it fully.  When we do often we can access important insights and wisdom that can lead to true healing.

One only has to observe young children for guidance.  They move easily from one emotional state to another.  Laughing one minute and throwing a temper tantrum the next.  Adults sometimes judge these states as good or bad.  It is good if our children are happy but not so good if they are angry or upset.  This is a false dichotomy and does nothing to allow for the integration of our wholeness which lies beyond the thinking mind.   We might want to help our children regulate their emotions and express them if they are at a particular age.  But that is different from judgement or fear that there is something wrong with them if they show up in a particular way.

So how do we practice feeling and become aware of our feelings.  One easy way is to make space during the day for a few moments of reflection and stillness.  In that space we can more easily feel into our emotional nature.  Take a moment to write down whatever arises be it sadness, frustration or excitement and anticipation for your day.  You might want to tap on this feelings or simply breathe into them to soften and dissipate them.

If you notice any resistance simple welcome it.  If you have experienced trauma or suffer from depression you might notice that certain parts of yourself feel frozen or numb.  Just noticing these parts of you and welcoming them with kindness and compassion can do much to loosen the grip these energies have on us.  Come back to  yourself a few times during the day and watch your emotional connection to yourself soften and expand.

Have a great month everyone,

Much love,

Vivianne