These days, it’s easy to feel big emotions. Anger. Fear. Loneliness. Grief. Sometimes, we can’t even name what we’re feeling but we know things don’t feel right. Sometimes we want to shut all those feelings down, run away or disappear into social media and TV.
But we are living in times of big emotions. A good time to learn how to take care of emotions so we can take care of ourselves and give support to others.
However, if we acknowledge these emotions and “sit with” them, or observe them, will those “negative” emotions become our reality? That is a misunderstanding. What becomes of those emotions really depends upon the quality of attention we place upon them.
When we can sit WITH emotion, not AS the emotion, and have a clear intention for insight and healing, then we create safety for ourselves (and those around us). Rather than be engulfed in an emotion, we observe it; and with Love, create room for transformation of this energy.
When we can sit with an emotion (in small bites) and recognize that it is an experience we’re having but the experience is not who we are, we create space. When we can remember we are divine beings having a human experience, we can bring Light and Compassion to these emotions. And compassion can bring insight., transform our emotions and transform our experience.
We can’t afford “spiritual bypass” of emotions. When we ignore or repress them or project them onto other people, they don’t go away; they fester.
We can learn to take responsibility for and successfully sit with our emotions. When we can watch them with a clear and loving intention, we free ourselves. We heal ourselves and return to our true selves–a beneficial presence on the planet.
I experience emotions, but I am so much more than my emotions. I am the ever-present witness, spacious and whole. I am the embodiment of Divine Love.
Eisha A. Mason
