Something happens that causes us to experience a big feeling. And then because of the presence of that big feeling we become uncomfortable, maybe fearful, and we doubt our capacity to contain or handle the initial big feeling, or the discomfort, or the subsequent fear, or a combination of all of these. So we do all sorts of things — ANYTHING at all — to stuff it down, drown it out, get the hell away from that feeling as quickly as possible because we think we can’t contain it.
Here’s the thing: WE DON’T HAVE TO CONTAIN IT. Instead, we can allow it to pass right through us.
Saying “just let it pass right on through” and living it can be two very different experiences — I know this. It may be simple to say with grace and ease, while the experience of living it can can feel like a freaking tornado ripping through you, leaving behind billions of tiny, shredded pieces. You might even doubt your capacity to survive its’ passing through.
When this happens, we can remember that we already ARE billions of tiny pieces. You, me, everyone we know, and everything we see is a collection of billions of tiny particles vibrating very quickly. While these particles are very close to one another, they are not fused together — there is space between them. In other words, absolute solidity is an illusion; we have a natural porousness and permeability about us. We contain within and throughout our physical body space and openness.
This isn’t to say that we don’t experience a very real shift when big feelings pass through us, but rather that when we bring our attention to the spaces in between and remember our natural permeability, flexibility, and fluidity that we tap into our superpowers of strength and resilience, assuring our survival of these colossal emotional tornadoes.
“My superpower is I feel everything and I let it rip me apart every night and still I don’t die. Instead, I grow more open and make more room.” — @authenticlion
In this very moment you can place your attention on your breath, and invite your inhales to lengthen, widen, and expand in all directions. Follow your breath and allow it to help you uncover space in the physical body from the inside out while also nourishing and awakening every cell of your body. As you move through your day, incorporate movements which uncover space and bring a sense of flow that will break up any rigid or stagnant energy hanging out in your body, and in so doing remember your natural permeability.
“The hardness of a diamond is part of its usefulness, but its true value is in the light that shines through it.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
Krystal Barschig 