Written by: Liz Sparkes, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It can be quite easy to distance ourselves from our feelings, to hold how we really feel at arm's length. By denying yourself the truth of how you feel can lead to feeling trapped and stuck. Suppressed feeling can also be linked to changes within the physical body. For example, impacting upon the immune system or increasing inflammation in the body. Being directly in touch with what we are feeling is essentially mindfulness. However, allowing it and bringing soothing energy towards difficult feelings is self-compassion.
The risk of seeing the truth of how we really feel can sometimes feel as though it will come at quite a cost. Clients often describe how it feels pointless to acknowledge how they feel about situations in their lives as they can't see a way out. This keeps us stuck and unable to make changes or trust that change is possible. However, as we begin to connect with the feelings of compassion and connection this allows alchemy to begin to unfold. Once we allow the truth of how we feel to surface and begin to introduce heart-felt feelings of connection and compassion, shifts can begin to occur.
It is often when we start to process and allow emotion to be felt that it starts to allow a new way of seeing things to arise. As we begin to process emotion, feel the feelings as they are, wisdom starts to descend. Often it's about leaning into the process and trusting that the way things look will change, but in a way that we can't comprehend until we begin to connect with the deeply held emotions.
Not only can our vision become clear once we connect with the truth of what we feel, but also physical health can change. As clients begin to work with compassion practices and expression of emotion, often physical health starts to change too. Sometimes chronic pain and illness can be the result of having held deeply suppressed feelings for a lifetime. Although we must consider that the situation may be more complex and need an entirely holistic view. We can often notice huge improvements and an almost domino effect upon our health when we process and move through emotion, no longer holding trapped feelings within the body.
Beginning to connect with emotion and increase self-compassion can occur in a variety of ways. Writing and journaling can support movement within the subconscious. Meditation and visualisation, particularly delivered by trained facilitators can support the release and alchemy of what we hold so tightly within. Just bringing gentle awareness to each moment and acknowledging how we really feel is an act of self-love. It is important to note that if there is trauma then psychotherapy or equally deep support in other ways is important.
During the retreats that I run alongside other experts, we support people who are ready to change the trajectory of their lives. By providing an environment that is conducive to change and self-exploration, we can gain insights and gently allow emotions to shift and change. Bringing a new sense of clarity and freedom.
Liz Sparkes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Liz Sparkes is a health psychologist, intuitive coach, and meditation and reiki practitioner. After completing a Ph.D. in Pain Psychology and training to facilitate meditation and mindfulness, Liz dedicated herself to helping others feel more empowered and fulfilled. Liz has developed academic and private transformational courses for heart-based living, meditation and compassion, awareness, and moon living. Liz works with groups and individuals in workplaces, health settings, charitable organizations, and holistic retreats. Liz utilizes a mixture of psychological and ancient spiritual methods for healing and to support living life from the perspective of the heart, gaining greater insight and intuitive trust.
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