Being Present: Can Trapped Emotions Stop Someone From Being Present?

Ever since Eckhart Tolle’s book ‘The Power Of Now’ came out, being present has consumed the self help industry. And even people who were not into self development came across this book.

Interpretation

And whether it is a teacher speaking about being present or whether they are talking about how to make a cake, there is always going to be people’s interpretations of what something means.

These interpretations can be accurate and match up to what is being communicated or they can be completely inaccurate and have nothing to do with what is being communicated. The present moment is all there is and when one is not present then they are out of touch with the only moment that matters.

So although it is clear that being present is the ideal, it is not always easy to be present. At times, it can seem impossible and nothing more than a good idea.

And as it can be so difficult it can result in someone denying how they really feel or what they are thinking and all because they want to be present.

Repression

Being present then becomes a new name for denial and repressing how one truly feels. At first, this may seem like a great idea and one that may work for a short period of time.

Just like a new toy that a child receives from their caregivers; in the beginning their attention is consumed and then shortly after, it is thrown away just like the rest of the toys. The Childs short attention span is still there and is not going anywhere; no matter how many toys are given.

And the same applies to emotions, feelings and thoughts. If they are denied and covered up, it is unlikely to lead to one being present. They will just come back, but when they do, they may be even stronger.

Thoughts

The primary focus when it comes to self development and change is often ones thoughts. And these are often said to be the biggest challenge in one being present. So when the mind settles down, one can then experience a greater sense of peace and harmony within.

So from this point of view the mind is the only thing that matters and the body is therefore irrelevant. But if one were to become aware of their thoughts, they would often see that they are nothing more than a consequence of how they are feeling in their body.

The Body

Feelings and emotions are in the body and based on these, the mind responds accordingly. When these are unpleasant feelings and emotions, it is normal for the mind to become obsessed and to endlessly think about certain things. And these thoughts can be positive or negative.

This is a defence mechanism that the mind uses to regulate pain and to ensure its own survival. For if there was too much pain it could be overwhelming and lead to death.

So the minds thoughts are a way to calm everything down and to avoid the pain that is coming up from the body.

The Present Moment

It may sound like the right thing to do to let go off ones thoughts, but these thoughts are often only appearing as a result of what is going on in the body. When the body is at a place of peace, the mind is likely follow suit.

And due to the pain that can build up in the body, it can cause someone to reject their body and to live in their head. This is done because it can feel safer than living in a body that is full of pain.

A lot of focus has been placed on thoughts over the years and this has resulted in the body’s power being rejected. And yet the body is where ones power really is and where the answers are found.

Trapped Emotions

So if one lives in their head due to what has built up in their body, there is likely to be a lot of trapped emotions and feelings. When the body is at peace, the mind can relax. But when the body is in pain, the mind is going to end up thinking excessively.

These can be emotions and feelings that have become trapped as a result of what has happened to someone as an adult and what took place during their childhood years.

This can include the following feelings and emotions: rejection, abandonment, betrayal, grief, fear, rage, resentment, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, guilt and fear.

And just because they are trapped in the body, it doesn’t mean that they are not having an effect on one’s life. They are constantly looking to be heard in one way or another.

Letting Go

When one is present and in the moment, they are likely to be free of fear and other restrictive emotions. But if these feelings and emotions are trapped in the body, it is going to be practically impossible to be present.

And this is why it is important to let go of what has built up in the body. When this happens, being present will not be a struggle or something that involves force. It will be something that naturally takes place and all because there is peace in the body.

Awareness

In many ways, the mind is simply a reflection of what is going on in the body. So getting in touch with ones feelings and emotions and releasing them is very important.

This can be done with the assistance of a therapist or a healer that will allow one to face them and release them.

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Oliver J R Cooper
http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/