Emotions tend to come in waves — similar to ocean waves crashing along the beach. If we try to fight the waves, we get splashed in the face and have a generally bad time. If instead we float with the waves letting them pass through us, we can find peace until the water eventually becomes calm.
Expressing feelings or emotions involves “letting go” of them — letting them pass. Feelings can be expressed through multiple mediums:
- journaling
- talking through the emotions in therapy
- feeling them through art
The Buddhist concept of “samskara” refers to the undigested emotions and experiences that shape our mental and emotional patterns. These unresolved impressions or unfelt emotions can influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, often unconsciously. By recognizing and processing these samskaras, we can gain a clearer understanding of ourselves and our emotional landscape.
Acknowledging our emotions as valid and understandable improves our relationship with ourselves and gets us “past” them.
Feeling emotions can be very painful but it is necessary to live a full life.
The simple act of labeling what you’re feeling (without judgement) can help regulate your emotions. Emotions come and go like waves, if we let them. The idea here is to ride the wave of emotion instead of trying to stop a giant wave and getting pushed around.