Emotions are part of being human. But sometimes our emotions can get the better of us. We often try to hide our feelings, either for the sake of others or in the hope that if we bury them deep enough they will eventually go away or stop hurting. The problem is that these emotions are always somewhere beneath the surface unless we are willing to do our best to help resolve them.
To grow, you must first and foremost develop an awareness of your mind-body-spirit relationship. What does it mean to feel? What emotions are you holding? Why do you feel this way? And once you start to acknowledge your emotions, you need to allow yourself to express them.
The Taoist way tells us to do good and accept bad. You have to want to change and you have to make a choice. People often use their past as an excuse not to change because deep down they really don’t want to change and/or don’t have the courage to do the hard work to get there. But if you really want something, you will do whatever it takes to acquire it. If you need to do something (like go to the toilet), you just do it. Imagine how powerful we would be if we could harness the same urgency for our spiritual growth!
We all have our stories: our positive sides and our dark sides. Some may stem from a traumatic experience as a child or young adult. Others may stem from a deep loss that you haven’t fully processed, even though you think you’ve moved past it. Being aware of our emotions means breaking down the barriers we’ve put up to protect ourselves, and delving into the raw emotions that can unravel us in seconds.
This process of self-discovery often involves tears, and lots of them. You may cry out of the blue. Let the tears flow. Soon you will start making connections. For example, papaya reminds you of your grandmother who misses you on her birthday. You may not have realized it at the time, but deep down your Spirit made the connection. Let the tears flow. They help you process the swirling cloud of emotions. Start with the less threatening emotions and begin to accept them. Little by little, you will be able to accept your more uncomfortable feelings and emotions. Don’t expect to immediately accept your dark side; that would mean instant relief! Be patient with yourself. Do the process slowly and gradually. And congratulate yourself on taking this step toward making deep, lasting changes. Keep going! You will see and feel the shift!
Putting theory into action
One of our favorite ways to release emotions is through Qigong. In our upcoming Women, Qigong and Breast Health series, we’ll help you become aware of how stress and emotional patterns affect Qi. By learning to reduce energy loss, adjust eating style, and move your Qi through Qigong movements, participants have greater opportunities for healing and lasting balance.
In addition, we meet almost every Thursday evening for Qi Thursday, a powerful (and free) 30-minute Qigong practice led by a certified Dragon’s Way Qigong® instructor.
Finally, in our upcoming personal Dragon’s Way Qigong® program, you will learn how to listen deeply to your body’s messages, use foods as healing tools, and practice Qigong movements to achieve a better state of balance.