The Moment.

Hi All. I have just come upon something I wrote down many years ago and which now makes a lot of sense to me, although it needs thinking about. Where it came from I have no idea, so I can only thank the anonymous author. "There comes a moment in the downward spiral of any "negative" emotion (fear, anxiety, despair) when an escape route opens up. Stop running away from the dreaded thing Turn slowly; face it. Walk deeper into the anxiety and know the pain. Cease resisting. Breathe deeply. Soften your body and mind and let the full force of the rejected feeling into your awareness. Listen! Be attentive to the voice of the pain. What is it trying to tell you? Invite it to speak to you about your life. "Negative" emotions are much like dispossessed people in the body politic; They cease to be destructive when they are invited into full participation in the commonwealth. Repress them and there will be insurrection rather than resurrection". I know that, when in an anxiety state this may all seem very abstract. But put it in store. You may find it makes sense later. Best wishes to all. jonathan.

[Mandy26]

Hi Jonathan, I think this is great. It's funny you posted this as this is exactly how I faced one of my attacks two nights ago.

I was lying in bed, my stomach dropped and my heart fluttered and I though 'here we go'. Immediately my body tensed up and I thought 'no, not happening'. I relaxed my body as much as I could and simply concentrated on my breathing, almost as you put 'walking deeper into the anxiety'. and it was very strange how much I took note of every feeling I was having and on their own, each symptom didn't seem so scary. I felt the wave of heat and thought 'that's interesting', I felt my heart slowing down from its quickened pace, then the shakes started, the pitted stomach, and before I know it it had all ended and I was ready to sleep. By the end of it I actually thought there was nothing to fear about it.

x

[Hidden]

Hi Mandy26. You have got it!! There is really nothing to be afraid of. Feelings, and thoughts cannot hurt you. They are only fearful if you supply them with the energy to be so. That energy is continued fearfulness. What an interesting blog. I am so glad for you. Bless you and keep up the good work. jonathan.