How do I cover up emotional pain?
First a few questions -
How does emotional pain trigger my escape patterns? Do I look for someone or somethings to blame? Is it too painful to recognise why I am suffering? Do I push away the emotions and feelings……? Do I escape into the past bringing up negative memories? And does this lead to relationship issues, health problems, depression, sadness and anger? Or do I project into the future creating anxiety and fear? What if this happens or what if that happens etc.
When I go down these pathways the stress hormones of cortisol and adrenaline are released and I could end up in the fight or flight mode where my thinking is clouded, feelings of overwhelmability, I may feel teary but not know why, I may want to escape from the world wishing the insessant thinking would stop. All of these thought patterns brings us to a lower consciousness state.
The pain and suffering might dissipate for a short time. We may try to mask our true feelings by escaping into self abuse of some kind to cover up the reality. But, one thing is guaranteed - the experience of these emotions and feeling will return again until we stop ignoring and resisting them.
How can I help myself at these times?
A wonderful saying by the Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh – “Stay in the Present Moment and confront the pain Tenderly.”
In the present moment I can feel the discomfort and embrace the suffering. In the present moment I have the ability to listen to my internal self-talk. As a Meditator I start to let go and come to my inner quiet place, the source of Creative Intelligence, my Being. Where all knowledge, thoughts and Pure Consciousness lies.
Staying present allows me to learn compassion and understanding of myself and the people around me. The vibration of the nervous system changes, the Neural Pathways change from the old patterns into new ways of thinking and behaviours. The nervous system fires off new electrons to the brain. The mistaken intellect is corrected -the truth of what or why the emotional suffering happens is intellectualised. Pain and suffering turn into knowledge, understanding and compassion.
The goal of our Meditation is to release the adrenaline and cortisol hormone- STRESS from the mind and body, to bring the Nervous System back to Homeostasis. Falling into old emotional patterns starts to change because the reality and truth of what is really happening rises into our thinking, that is what comes to the surface. It's like swimming in the ocean of peace and restfulness during meditation then coming to the surface of reality. Old patterns start to fade into the background with less importance and intensity.
This is why our twice daily Meditation practice is so important. It keeps us balanced and in a higher state of consciousness. We see the reality of life's journey as it truly is. We don’t ignore the truth but rather embrace it. We can say “Hello my friend I know you well.” Embrace the challenges and reap the benefits.
