Well•come, kin. Pause, and take a deep, calming breath with me. In… and out… As you breathe, remind yourself of your innate wisdom and wholeness. With each breath—be here. Fully present, as we embark on this journey together.
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LaShaun
Certified behavior analyst, founding former Director of The University of South Florida’s (USF) Wellness Resource Center, Founder of GLOW Women’s Gathering with credentials in Neuroscience for Business from MIT Sloan.
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In a world filled with upheaval, we’re being called to turn inward. This journey aligns with the concept of authentic healing, which encourages us to embrace the full spectrum of human emotions (ebbs + flows, flavors + hues) rather than engage in spiritual bypassing.
I’ve been reviewing this image for weeks trying to understand its utility for times we find ourselves in.
Spiritual bypassing often leads us to:
- Focus solely on “high vibe” emotions like love, peace, and joy.
- Avoid or suppress “low vibe” emotions such as sadness, rage, and grief.
- Create a hierarchy of emotions, considering some more “enlightened” than others.
- Misuse spiritual teachings to justify emotional repression.
This approach fosters a fragmented view of our emotional landscape, creating a division between our physical self and our soul and spirit. It can lead to a false sense of spiritual transcendence, where we attempt to rise above the raw and messy aspects of human life without fully facing and making peace with them.
Authentic healing, on the other hand, invites us to:
- Integrate both “high” and “low” vibe emotions.
- Recognize all emotions as sacred and valuable.
- Accept the full spectrum of human experiences.
- Embrace a circular, holistic view of emotional well-being.
This approach values authenticity over superficial transcendence, encouraging us to face our emotions and experiences fully. It’s about acknowledging our joy + our pain + our pleasure. Working through it, rather than bypassing it with spiritual platitudes.
Choosing to face all.our.feels.—those perceived as positive or negative—means stepping into the fullness of our humanity. It’s about allowing ourselves to experience grief alongside joy, anger alongside peace. This courageous journey into the depths of our emotions is where real healing occurs, guiding us toward deeper connections and a more profound sense of self.
“True healing begins when we embrace the full spectrum of our emotions, recognizing that each one holds a sacred place in our journey.”
Research in positive psychology and network neuroscience underscores the importance of facing our emotions. Studies show that emotional regulation and integration are crucial for mental health and well-being. Authentic healing involves acknowledging and processing all emotions, which can lead to greater emotional resilience and overall life satisfaction.
Dr. Sarah McKay, neuroscientist and author of the Your Brain Health blog, offers a profound insight:
“Emotions play out in the theater of the body. Feelings play out in the theater of the mind.”
This distinction is key to our practice of authentic emotional processing. When we observe and describe our emotions, we’re primarily focusing on the bodily sensations – the physical manifestations in the “theater of the body.” This approach helps us stay grounded in the present moment, avoiding the tendency to get caught up in mental narratives or judgments about our emotions.
By first acknowledging the physical sensations of our emotions, we create a foundation for understanding our feelings – the mental interpretations of these emotions. This two-step process allows us to experience our emotions fully without immediately attaching stories or judgments to them, which is crucial for avoiding spiritual bypassing and embracing authentic healing.
In our practice, when we scan our bodies and describe what we’re experiencing, we’re tuning into the “theater of the body.” This awareness can then inform how we process our feelings in the “theater of the mind,” leading to a more integrated and holistic emotional experience.
A Practice for Authentic Emotional Processing
We know we should feel our feelings, but nobody tells us how…
To move towards authentic healing, try this observing and describing practice for feeling your feels:
- When you notice an emotion, pause and take three deep breaths.
- Scan your body, focusing on physical sensations and urges associated with the emotion.
- Observe these sensations without judgment or attempts to fix them.
- Describe with Precision and Simplicity
Now, articulate your experience using concise, non-judgmental language. Focus on the raw sensations and urges, steering clear of narratives or interpretations.
For instance:
“I’m noticing a weight pressing down in my chest.”
“There’s a hollowness in my stomach, like it’s dropping.”
“My cheeks are flushing with heat, and I feel an impulse to flee.”
If you catch yourself adding context or explanation, such as, “My chest feels tight because my colleague is inconsiderate,” gently redirect your attention to the pure physical experience. Preface your observations with “I’m noticing” or “I feel” to maintain a stance of curious observation.
This step cultivates a direct connection with your emotional experience, free from the layers of story or judgment that often cloud our perception. By describing without interpreting, you create space for authentic healing, allowing each emotion its rightful place in your human experience.
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Remember: The path to meaningful living often requires moving towards discomfort rather than avoiding it. By allowing yourself to feel all emotions fully, you’re practicing authentic healing and supporting your overall well-being.
In times of uncertainty, when the ground feels unstable, this approach to emotional processing can provide the support your soul needs. It’s a way to access the fierce, healing, and formidable well-being we all deserve, facilitating collective wholeness and wellness.
We can move away from spiritual bypassing and towards authentic healing, embracing the full, circular nature of our emotional lives.
It’s in the acceptance of all our feelings—without judgment or avoidance—that we begin to reclaim our power and live fully. In this embrace of our wholeness, we discover the beauty of being human, where every emotion has its place and purpose.
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