New Thread: Accepting vs Repressing Emotions

[michaelw]

See also https://www.transpersonaljournal.com...ver%20Jose.pdf

I use TP as a reference point from of old so reading the above reminded me of projection so went back to look it up and ran across this.

Gassho

M

sat

[Tokan]

Following this thread, and after Jundo's talk in zazenkai, I guess I have a lot I would like to say (further), but more from personal experience. I have felt that there are times when I have avoided dealing with something, whether a situation or just me, by being a good (but forced) Buddhist. There are other times when I was experiencing something very difficult where the zazen was a true refuge and the wellspring of the equanimity I needed for myself, to be kind and loving to myself, so not quite avoidance, perhaps more like soul searching. And then there have been times where I have used zazen to look at issues in my life from the 'sandbox' of zazen, knowing that it is a safe place to do so. I know this is not the 'thinking non-thinking' zazen, but I'm not one to sit at the table and write a 'pro's and con's list' for my emotional health, I just live it, so zazen has been my way of responding to life's difficulties (and it's joys), because of it's radical self-and-other acceptance. Time to close

Deep bows to all, Tokan (satlah)

[BrianK]

Meditation has helped me change my relationship to my emotions; I acknowledge them without making them "a big deal."

I observe their impermanence, and try to replace persistently negative ones with their opposites (greed with letting go and generosity; anger with lovingkindness and compassion; ignorance and delusion with wisdom via reflecting on the dharma).

It's a bumpy road and I fail more than I succeed - but no self-judgment!

Gassho,
Brian
Sat today
Lah (fed the cats so far; will do more later)

[Jundo]

My little talk on Friday was inspired, and triggered, by this thread ... (from 55:00 here) ...

https://youtu.be/OirDmQhki5Q

Gassho, J

STLah

[Ippo]

Hello Jundo & Treeleaf,

I feel so honored and grateful to have found this sanga. It's like I've been waiting for this very space, for this learning and this sitting. Radical stillness speaks to me on so many levels.

And I have a question... With emotions, how do you know if you're accepting and witnessing or stuffing them down?

With gratitude 🙏🏼

Aimee B.
sat / lah

Really beautiful question, and so many beautiful responses. I'll keep it short because so much has been said already. With that in mind, I'd say with acceptance (true acceptance) almost always comes:

A) Relief of the tensions. The part/parts of our body going through the particular feeling are able to g through it and thus is absolves as the tension 'around' it (resistance) is also disappearing. If we become compassionate, forgiving observers we can see it for what it is.

B) Insight or wisdom. Our body/unconcious is trying to communicate. In stillness and acceptance we can really "hear" that message. When we learn to view it and observe there is something to be learned.

This is my experience.

Gassho,

Ippo

Sat/Lah

[Stewart]

This is a recurring issue for me that I've come to simply accept as being part of life for me. I often simply don't know why I'm feeling a certain way and my husband had noted the same thing about me. Emotions can bubble up, I look at them and wonder where that came from and after a while simply shrug my shoulders as I've no idea.

Stewart
Sat

[Onki]

Zazen has help immensely for me to witness and acknowledge my feelings when they come up. I’m a long time “feelings stuffer.” Feelings and emotions can be very scary and feeling them can make me feel like the world (my world) is going to end. Sometimes, especially with anxiety (I have an anxiety disorder) I fear feeling the extent of my anxiety as it feels terrifying. Sitting zazen when I am spiralling has offered me another way to feel the anxiety and know that it will not destroy me. That has been a great fear of mine. I worry that feeling the feelings and emotions will be too much for me to handle. But it never is. I work my way through it; feeling the feelings as excruciating as it may feel.
Breathe. Adjust. Know that the feelings don’t last forever.

Gassho,

Finn

Sat today