IRest Practice 18: Welcoming Opposites Of Feeling & Emotion

Every feeling & emotion comes paired with its opposite. Fear can't exist without courage. Sadness can't exist without happiness.

When you resist fully experiencing your anxiety, fear, grief, or helplessness, you deny the experience of their opposites: peace, courage, joy, and confidence. When you experience only one-half of a pair of opposites, you remain stuck in your one-sided encounter.

During this practice, you're invited to welcome opposites of feelings & emotions. You can welcome feelings of pain or discomfort and then invite their opposites, pleasure and comfort. You then shift back and forth between these feelings. Then, you experience both at the same time.

iRest Practice 18: Welcoming Opposites of Feeling & Emotion from the iRest Program for Healing PTSD: A Proven Effective Approach to Using Yoga Nidra Meditation & Deep Relaxation Techniques to Overcome Trauma. Written by Richard C. Miller, PhD. Recorded by Erin Finck, TCTSY-F, RYT 500, Level 1 iRest Teacher

Transcript

The following practice addresses opposites of emotion. You can do this same practice addressing opposites of feeling as well. With your eyes open or closed. Welcome the environment and sounds around you. The touch of air on your skin. The sensations where your body touches the surface that's supporting it. The feeling of your body breathing itself. Sensations that are present throughout your body. Now welcome an emotion that's present in your body. Or recall an emotion that you're working with in your life. If no emotion is present. Be with what's most calling your attention right now. And remember, You can always return to the safe haven of your inner resource whenever you feel the need to take a momentary time out to feel secure and at ease. And if an emotion is present. Where and how do you feel it in your body? Are there thoughts or images that accompany this emotion? Welcome your experience, Just as it is. Without judging or trying to change it. If it's helpful. Locate an opposite of this emotion. Where and how do you experience this opposite in your body? If it's helpful, Recall a memory that invites this opposite of emotion more fully into your body. When it feels right, Move back and forth between these opposites. Experiencing first one, Then it's opposite. At your own pace. Sensing how each emotion impacts your body and mind. Thin. Sense both emotions at the same time. Experience how this impacts your entire body and mind. Sense how you are the observer of all that's now present in your awareness. Awake and aware of all that's present. Sensations. Thoughts. Images. Affirm to yourself. I am aware and awake. Practicing eye rest and resting at ease. Welcoming opposites of emotion, And being with everything just as it is. When you're ready. Take time to reflect on your experience from doing this practice. Any actions you've discovered you need to take. Become intentions that you plan to follow through with in your daily life.