Lesson To Be Learned

"Deep feelings are often teachers we resist or turn away

from because of their intensity."

Mark Nepo

THE ENDLESS PRACTICE

The choice to repress our feelings can be compared to stuffing trash into an already filled garbage can.  We keep on pushing down to make room for more, instead of taking it outside.  When we are careless with our emotions, they become entangled with each other, resulting in a gnarling mess.

If we make the choice to remain in the present moment, we are more likely to notice the discomfort of a feeling.  In that moment we can discern if it is something to sit with or pitch.  If we are not monitoring our feelings, we create a stack of kindling that will eventually create friction causing inner burning.

If we make a short list of our most intense feelings, we can decipher the lesson to be learned.  Break the list down in order of intensity.  With each one, disregard the drama itself, and lift out just the emotion. Eliminate people, places, and things, to clearly sense the intensity of the feeling. Be with the singular emotion and let it clarify the lesson to be learned.