04/08/2023
✨May this suffering serve to awaken.✨
Pain and suffering are often intuitive forces from deep within our subconscious, and can be incredible signs for stimulating growth and action. Our bodies have several intelligences, including emotional cues to prompt change. In addition to our perception (conscious cognitions), we use neuroception (intuitive awareness) which is our autonomic nervous system’s ability to detect, assess, and respond to internal and external cues of safety and danger. This is why at times it’s challenging to recognize *why* we may feel the way we do, but we know we just don’t instinctively feel right.
If you tend to experience uncomfortable or difficult emotions, try, if you can, to lean into (rather than away) from these sensations.
Consider asking yourself…
What am I feeling?
Is there something my body wants me to know?
What is it I need to feel supported right now?
How can I practice communicating my needs in a way that feels aligned with my values?
Psychological distress is often associated with needs not being met, or behaving in ways misaligned with our values. Pain and suffering can be incredible opportunities for us to create positive change in our life.
What are you ready to change right now?
📷: Esalen Retreat, Big Sur, California (2019)
