5 Human Capacities
Lesson 2
Adhere to Your Feelings — Yes, Even the Ones You Don't Like
With the pandemic, there is a lot to feel, more than before the virus took hold, it would seem. We're angry about the restrictions on our lives. We're afraid of getting the virus or losing a loved one. We may feel isolated, depressed, stuck, or lacking in creativity. And with so much news to digest, we are left feeling raw, not softly human. We may feel powerless.
What to do?
Our first impulse may be to shut down, to ignore the sadness or keep the anger "under control" so that we don't lash out at those close to us. And who wants to feel, egads, pain?
But our feelings are the doorway to our inner wisdom. They are another dimension of being human. Like our physical bodies, they give us information. They shed light and increase our awareness. Anger tells us a boundary has been crossed, either by others or by ourselves. Maybe we overextended ourselves or denied ourselves what we needed. Sadness tells us something needs to be let go of, and instinctual "fear" (not anxiety or panic) can alert us to get out of our heads and pay attention; there may be danger and some action called for.
Beyond the emotions, our feeling bodies can also deliver a contracted feeling that “something’s not right here,” a message especially useful in a pandemic. If we listen carefully, we will be guided on the best action, or non-action, for our well-being.
Over the centuries, we have collectively become accustomed to making decisions either from our intellect or from our desires. We want to hear what the "experts" say. Or we simply want what we want.
Now is a great time to make a shift out of sole reliance on those two methods. We need to bring in our feelings. You've become more aware of your physical body; now, expand your awareness to your feeling body. Are you feeling anxious, calm, cautious, irritated? Did something trigger that feeling? Notice under which circumstances you feel tight or contracted and when you feel relaxed and expansive. Practice this inquiry throughout the day whenever possible and, at the very least, when your head touches the pillow at bedtime.
Want to practice the sound associated with this dimension? Close your eyes and, with spine straight, drop your attention to your belly. Start with your teeth touching and then, for the A sound, open your mouth as wide as you can and say "ah" with your full voice for as long as is comfortable within a single breath. Do not let the sound continue for a very long time, as in a mantra. At the end of the sound, again touch your teeth together.
Then, repeat this method for the sound of "Wa."
Notice how you feel after each sound.
This week, practice noticing not only your body sensations, as we worked on last week, but also feelings, whether subtle or booming. You are now employing two of your five human capacities.