Not long ago, I realized my vocabulary for feelings was inadequate. I took a workshop on Tibetan Yoga, and during one of the sessions, the teacher said that by naming an emotion, we can ease our suffering. Then, I started searching for resources that could help me learn more about my feelings. In the system of Yoga, there are ethical guidelines to help us in our relationships with ourselves, others, and the Divine. If you read my last post this will be a review but, the yamas help us relate to the world, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-excess, and non-possessiveness. The niyamas are practices that help us learn about ourselves and connect with the Divine, which includes purity, contentment, self-discipline, and surrender.
Let’s discuss self-discipline and how learning about emotions can help. When emotions bubble up to the surface of our hearts and minds, it’s easy to confuse anger with frustration or restlessness with dissatisfaction. When we journal about how we’re feeling, we learn more about ourselves and the source of the emotion. For example, if I am stressed about my work on the farm, I could get frustrated with my Labrador Retriever puppy for disrupting my schedule. If I stop and realize I’m overwhelmed with the task on the to-do list, I can have more empathy and kindness towards my dogs. So, part of my Yoga practice includes checking in with my emotions regularly. At least 4 times during the day, I spend a few moments asking myself how I am feeling and why. Those check-ins always help me to know myself better and develop self-discipline. The more I know myself, the more I can connect with the Divine presence and develop healthy relationships with others. In one of his podcast episodes, Dr. Andrew Huberman mentions an app developed at Yale University called How We Feel. The app can help you learn more about your feelings. It's a digital journal of how you're feeling, who you're with, and what you're doing at the time. I use the app and find it's an easy way to keep track of my emotions. You can download it from the link below and let me know your thoughts. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/the-how-we-feel-app-helping-emotions-work-for-us-not-against-us/
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AuthorDr. Lisa Clow Archives
January 2025
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