The human body is so intelligent that it “knows” when there is simply too much pain or too much stress. It somehow “knows” to shut off when things just get too hard. However, hidden inside this is the observation that we don’t really shut off most of the time. We don’t come across stress that shuts our bodies off for the most part and it’s here that we come across a great wisdom in the knowing that the body is equipped to handle our suffering and our pain.
We have become close friends with a narrative about our feelings. That narrative being that our feelings are something to run away from. That somehow, our feelings, don’t belong.
But is that true?
We would say that our happy feelings are great but why do we want to do away with the bad feelings?
What makes a feeling bad?
The narrative does.
We spin stories around our feelings which get affirmed by the people and media around us. There is rarely a true investigation into the nature of how we feel but rather a flimsy attempt at trying to explain it away. These stories are probably unconscious for the most part, things that we have compartmentalized away.
What constitutes a feeling? Apart from the sense perception of it?
From current experience, we can see that if we remove the label of any feeling, does it have something within it that is bad? happy?
What makes a feeling good?
The narrative does.
All we truly experience is bodily sensation. It is the mind that wishes to make into a game. Think of it like this, you’re an innkeeper and your job is to make your guests comfortable. Your patrons are your feelings, the good ones and the bad ones. It’s bad business to turn away paying customers just because of the narrative you have about them. Instead, try to welcome them in and allow them to exist in the space you have provided for them. It’s bad business to hold the good patrons hostage and refuse the bad patrons at the door. Instead, understand that patrons come and go, and that they all have the right to visit whenever they want.
I like the analogy, its fun to think about but I hope you see the lesson.
Feelings can be overwhelming but they are also an invitation. An invitation to really see things as they are and to drop any narratives we have about this reality. It’s can be painful but just know that your body is equipped to deal with this.
Use your breath to give each feeling the attention that it seeks.
Breathe into your pain, suffering, happiness and joy. Allow them to dance in the space that you essentially are. These feelings exist within you, they are your brethren, your kin, your family and should not be exorcised just because of our misunderstandings. They are tenacious and will keep on coming back until you give them the attention that they are so desperately seeking.
❤
