Artie: I would like to say that in order for a person being able to "Hold there where you are in your emotion" the person has to have a minimum of mindful energy in order to ACKNOWLEDGE and be AWARE OF what is really going on, Nor in buddism or zen is advice to punch a pillow or something like that. But to hold there just where you are, breath in awareness concentrating the attention in the up and down of the belly. Without forcing it. Just let it be as it is. Under a powerful emotional moment the up and down of the belly doesn't go smoothly but by holding there slowly slowly it gains its harmonious rythm. Instead of the pillow, trust me that in the long run belly breathing is a lot of more effective. The reason of this is that the belly transfrom the emotion while the pillow acts as a painkiller which once the effect runs one needs to take again the tablet of pain. But by no meanings, only you do know what is the best for you. My saying here is within the zen practice. Mayka
--- On Sat, 7/8/10, roloro1557 <[email protected]> wrote: From: roloro1557 <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Where's Mayka? To: [email protected] Date: Saturday, 7 August, 2010, 12:52 Mayka- Well, my understanding and experience is that one of the ways difficulties with emotions come is when one tries to artificially hold them in or control them. That is, emotions are natural responses, part of being human. Also that difficulties with emotions may come when one expresses them in the world without regard for consequences or the effect on others. In other words, emotions are not "bad" in themselves, it's how and when we express them that can cause difficulties. So, when I'm angry, I let myself be angry - but I really don't want to be violent or hurt anyone. So I will go off by myself and holler, and 'tell off' the person who has made me angry. If I am REALLY angry I may hit a stone with a stick, or punch a pillow, or something like that. I find the hollering, or hitting the stone, or punching the pillow dissipates the anger rather quickly for me and I return to a calmer state much more quickly. I agree with Bill! - emotions are physical responses. Also from the physical perspective, your body does not know the difference, whether you holler at the person you are mad at, or go off by yourself and holler. It's the hollering that is the point as far as your body is concerned. And, please understand, these are just my experiences, everyone has to find their own way :-) Artie --- In [email protected], Maria Lopez <flordel...@...> wrote: > > Correction (I didn't read correctly your last paragraph posting): > > You said: "What I DON'T always do is act in the world on my emotions. If I > get angry I don't throw things or hit people. But I may go off by myself > somewhere and cuss and holler or whack a stone with a stick". > > My impression is that that it may increase the aggresion in one rather than >handling it. But I don't know. May I ask you to give more details and explain >what do you experience when you do in that way? > > I don't go by myself somewhere and cuss and holler or whack a stone with a > stick. If the emotion is very powerful and my practice is weak or absent > then I usually have an stormy tantrum temper which tends to be rather > destructive. But if I'm strong enough to hold there, then is when I deal > with the emotion through all mentioned in previous post to Anthony and Bill. > > Thanks > Mayka ================================= FROM: Over the hills and far away. . . The way to do is be. Lao Tzu
