Emotional Healing Through Acceptance - 10 Minute Practice

In this guided mediation we stop wrestling with emotion and instead turn towards it with total acceptance, in this way we can return to an inwardly peaceful state even in the presence of strong negative emotions. This practice works as both an SOS for when you are caught in an emotional storm and as a regular practice to develop emotional regulation long-term. By doing this we find relief from emotional distress because there is no longer resistance or avoidance of the emotional state, ensuring the nervous system can relax. This acceptance practice is helpful for any form of emotional distress but I have found it particularly useful for rage, grief and fear (anxiety). This meditation is based on both secular mindfulness and and embodied, somatic spiritual approaches such as tantra and kashmir shaivism.

Transcript

Whichever emotion it is that you are currently struggling with, Just for this time, Stop wrestling with it, And instead allow yourself to feel it fully. By accepting and allowing the emotion to be as it is, It will pass far quicker, And it can become much more comfortable when we simply allow ourselves to feel the emotion that wants to be felt right now. So you can relax into this, Perhaps slow your breathing down and be very aware of the breath, This brings awareness into the present, Just the here and now, And allow yourself to feel emotion fully for this time. There is no future, There is no past, There is only now, So simply attend to emotion in the present, You are safe to do this. No emotion overwhelms consciousness itself, So simply be conscious and present with this feeling, And know that all is well. Relax the body by breathing deeply, And begin handing the emotion over to the body. The body can process and discharge this energy, So take the emotion out of the mind, And place the emotion into the body, And let the body do its work. Continue to breathe deeply as you do this. How does the emotion feel in the body as a sensation? Try to feel this raw, Pure, Without the mind getting involved, Instead just the raw ingredient of emotion itself, And simply accept it is here, It is present, And it's okay. Emotion does not need to be analyzed, It doesn't need to be fixed, It doesn't even need to be healed, It simply needs to be felt, Accepted, And allowed to move on. Continue to breathe deep and slow, Even if the energies are intense. There can be a feeling of turmoil and restlessness with strong emotion, But as best you can, Just focus on the sensations of breathing, And allow yourself to feel this emotion in the way that the emotion wants to be felt. So don't try to control anything, Just let it be. Let the body move however it needs to move. Let this energy discharge. How does emotion feel when we don't fight with it, When we don't try to constrain it, Or analyze it, When we just allow it to be? How does it feel for you now? Recognize the simplicity of this. Nothing complicated about emotion at all. It is a powerful life energy. Don't get in the way. Cooperate with the emotion, Give it what it needs. When emotion is accepted in this way, You'll find it's no longer a problem for you. Thank you for doing this meditation with me today. Take care, Be well, And stay present.