Transforming Emotional Energy

Transforming Emotional Energy

by Sylvia Gretchen

"If we wish to explore our lives and their undiscovered possibilities, we need to be able to look steadily at our experience, no matter what it might be." Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom.

From time to time we ask students in Nyingma Psychology programs at the Nyingma Institute to note the proportion of time they spend each day involved with negative emotions. Most people are amazed by the results. When they take into account boredom and dissatisfaction (along with the more obvious emotions such as anger, anxiety, and fear) the answer is usually over 50% of the time. And these are 'normal' people who are considered healthy and happy.

It's not that we want to be involved in emotional turmoil. Emotions just seem to pop up.

Like unwelcome guests negative emotions engage us in conversations that get in the way of what we would rather be doing, thinking, or feeling. We may not want to be anxious, but we may not seem to have much choice in the matter.

The teachings of Nyingma Psychology ask us to look steadily at our inner experience so that we can discover for ourselves how emotions arise and grab our attention. There are practical and effective methods—physical postures and breathing practices—that can immediately help release the hold of negative emotions. Most of the techniques, however, form part of an on-going path of inner discovery.

This path begins when we question our emotions and thoughts in new ways. For example, trace a negative emotion as it develops. Note the physiological changes that occur—your heartbeat, breathing rate, muscular tension. What mental changes take place as the emotional energy builds then recedes? Notice each change as precisely as possible.

Since it is not always easy to observe your mind in the midst of an upsetting situation, it can be helpful consciously to bring a negative emotion to mind when you are calm and balanced (this is best done with an instructor at first). Stir up the emotion through images or memories. Make it as real and intense as possible; feel the emotion in your body as well as in your mind.

As you observe how the emotion arises and develops, note especially how your thoughts  weave the story of why you are upset or angry. A single thought or image is just a momentary event—appearing and disappearing quickly. But thoughts move quickly, spinning a dense and convincing web of meaning.

Continue to observe your mind, watching thoughts and images emerge, but refusing to be convinced by their compelling narrative. Watch your mind in the same way you would watch a rushing mountain stream: noticing each ripple and eddy as it forms, but not losing sight of the almost magical process of the flowing water taking momentary shape.

When we view the stories of our thoughts in this way, a broader appreciation of the mind and mental events develops. We start to question the power of the 'storyteller.' We learn to look within and around thoughts and images for a more essential clarity and a deeper meaning.

This is just a beginning. According to the teachings of the Buddha the positive potential of the mind is vast. Buddhist masters have studied ways to unlock this potential for over 2,500 years. They have left a remarkable body or knowledge about the human psyche. We can draw on these insights and practices to stimulate our own brilliant body of knowledge.

Sylvia Gretchen is the co-dean of the Nyingma Institute.

To learn more about transforming Negative Emotions:

Take a class: "Transforming Negative Emotions" is offered on Mondays from 8-9:30 PM from June 11-August 13. Cost is $ 180 and the instructor is Sylvia Gretchen.

Join a certificate program: A year-long program in Nyingma Psychology Program leads you through the fundamental insights and practices of this experiential approach to a healthy, happy, and spiritually fulfilling life.

Read these books: "Gesture of Balance," "Hidden Mind of Freedom," and "Knowledge of Freedom" by Tarthang Tulku discuss effective ways to use meditation and analysis to release the hold of negative emotions. Available at the Nyingma Institute bookstore.

Speak to an academic advisor: call (510) 809-1000 to make an appointment or

mail: Nyingma-Institute@Nyingma.org

The Tibetan Nyingma Institute has been a Berkeley landmark for the past 40 years, offering classes, workshops, and retreats that address basic human questions in a setting rich with Tibetan imagery. This photograph shows the colorful Tibetan prayer wheel that forms the heart of the Institute's meditation garden.

Read More @ Source

Irritation

Irritation is part of life. How you deal with it is what matters. Ajahn Brahm introduces several techniques to help deal with it, including positive reinforcement and the similes of the empty trash can and Ajahn Mosquito. (Repost of full length video)

Video Rating: 5 / 5



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Scholars discuss relevance of Buddha in modern world

Image
New Delhi, Nov 27 ( IANS ) More than 900 Buddhist scholars , leaders and practitioners from 46 countries Sunday began deliberating the relevance of Gautama Buddha 's teachings, 2,600 years after his enlightenment, at a four-day Global Buddhist Congregation here. The venue at Hotel Ashok sported a riot of saffron, burgundy and ceremonial colours as monks and senior lamas from 46 countries like Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Germany flooded the premises. In a televised message, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama , who will attend the convention Nov 30, to deliver the valedictory address, said: 'There have been many opportunities for Buddhists to come together and to discuss issues of common concerns.' 'The congregation has provided a much-needed and crucial opportunity. Now, and in the future, we need to encourage and foster an exchange of knowledge and experience among our different traditions and improve communication a
Keep reading

Buddhist temple in Westminster destroyed in early-morning fire

Image
Enduring bitter cold Monday morning, a Westminster firefighter battles a blaze at the Lao Buddhist Temple. The building was a total loss. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post) WESTMINSTER — Brutal cold mixed with cold reality for members of the burned-out Lao Buddhist Temple of Colorado on Monday as they mourned the potential loss of artifacts saved by generations of worshippers. "It's not good, it's not good at all," said an exhausted Tom Pong as dusk fell over the remnants of the temple. "There is lots of history, over 100 years of it, and it could be lost forever." Pieces charred or melted by the fire — which started just before 6 a.m. — included several Buddha figures. Worries about asbestos prevented Pong and other members of the temple from going inside to assess the damage. The temple is part of an older building that the congregation bought in the early 1980s and then expanded on a 6-acre parcel at 10685 Dover St. The older section has asbestos,
Keep reading

Danish Buddhist leader, Lama Ole, to visit in Snohomish

Image
SNOHOMISH -- An unconventional guest is coming to Snohomish County next week. Ole Nydahl, a 70-year-old Danish leader of Diamond Way Buddhism, is visiting followers here in the Pacific Northwest. Nydahl's school of thought can be described as an adaptation of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism to the Western culture, said Daria Novoselova, who will be hosting Nydahl's meeting with students in her Snohomish home. Nydahl, who is known as Lama Ole, is expected to arrive Monday. He is scheduled to give a talk at the University of Washington later that day. Novoselova, 29, felt drawn to Diamond Way Buddhism as soon as she met Nydahl. She remembers that very first lecture. She was 16 and living in Yekaterinburg, Russia, when her older brother brought her along to the lama's talk. "I immediately felt at home," she said. "I had all these ideas about the world, and, suddenly, everything came together." At the end of that lecture, she accepted a blessing
Keep reading