From the Heart

I practiced releasing the lower frequencies of emotion as described by David R. Hawkins in his Levels of Consciousness. It provided considerable freedom and a certain new sense of awareness. Well, it provided insights into another layer of cultural bullshit to explore. No wonder I'm so suspicious and cautious of people. The lowest levels to release include: Shame, Guilt, Apathy, Grief, Fear, Desire (that was a HUGE one for me), Anger and Pride. The guy is a scientist, this isn't new age aura stuff, it's measurable energy frequencies emitted by the body when they are in the different states of emotion. His goal is to seek the most effective ways to eliminate human suffering. Elimination of the lower vibrations has health benefits. "The elimination of suppressed emotions has a positive health benefit. It decreases the overflow of energy into the body's autonomic nervous system, and it unblocks the acupuncture energy system (demonstrable by a simple muscle test)" page xxii. 

Anyway, I'm listening to his book Letting Go, The Pathway to Surrender and I've been listening to a Course by Dr. Debra Ford Daily Pulse exploring the Tao on Insight Timer. The two have gotten squished up and tossed about in my brain and I've come up with the following observations. There's probably other authors and influences in there as well... all good.

• Suffering is caused by imbalances in the physical, mental and emotional human system.
• An imbalance is defined as too much of one of two opposites. Balance is the even distribution of "x" enabling stability. A situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. 
• Therefore suffering is the getting too much or not enough of something or the perception that that is the reality.

The "perception" bit is key as our perception determines our experience regardless of the truth of a given situation. Can you tell I studied at a Liberal Arts school? Classic three part logical stuff there... of course it assumes the truth of the first statement. Stay with me here... now this seems totally disconnected but it will come around...

What are the constant movements of the body? What is the state of balance in our physical being? I must have air and a beating heart if my lungs or my heart are compromised I'll soon be no longer present on this plane of existence. So the lungs pump air and the heart pumps blood, full and empty, in and out, expansion and contraction. This happens outside of our conscious control most of the time, a natural function. Our lives are full of opposites: day and night, hunger and fullness, summer and winter, stillness and motion, The balance of urgency is calm, the balance of a busy mind is meditation. As I have progressed in my ability to discern the real from the false, the Reality from my expectations and judgements I am once again in the space between... as my last post alluded to. The middle way and the way of witness and observer. So where is the pump for my electrical/energetic feelings and emotions? That pump is apparently more closely influenced by the mind, illusions and delusions. It is mechanical and measurable but ethereal and not visible to the eye so easily. If it follows as the lungs and heart it is meant to expand and contract but not HOLD forever. What I've noticed is the attachment to a feeling or belief is where the suffering lies. The feeling itself is fleeting and meant to pass through (I am the hole in the flute). The meaning I attach causes the energy to expand and grow unnaturally. The spinning of blame and victim and injustice and purpose all exceed our natural tolerance for balance and ultimately cause suffering. 

These are all just thoughts and insights, ramblings and curiosities. I just wanted to record them here as well as my journal. I get a sense that they are helpful or will be very helpful at some point. There is nothing earth shattering or new in any of this but it helps me to relate my journey to a natural process that is being uncovered and empowered rather than a shell or mask or guru or ancient practice or religious ritual... etc. I can understand air and blood, expansion and contraction, flow and flood.

So net net... as natural beings we are constantly flowing, changing, shifting from one opposite to another in millions of variations including emotionally. Our awareness allows us to notice our experience and hopefully our conditioned response to engage, defend, react, rebel or avoid. Can I pause long enough to allow the FLOW... stop stopping the natural process, the natural balance of expansion and contraction. Second question how can I continue to cleanse and release the decades of suppressed emotions I already have clogging up the system? I plan to continue reading David Hawkins and studying the Tao... for now!

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