Wonderful read! For me, both psychedelics and frequent dancing have been the key. I hadn’t before made the connection that dance was helping me because I needed the body—not just the mind—to release my emotions
I have not connected my love for dance with my need to feel, Mia. I have always thought of the two—body and emotions—as two separate realms. Could you give me an example? I’m afraid I’m a little of a stupid about my emotions and their relation to my body.
Chris! I love this question because I also spent a long time dancing without realizing that it was helping me heal. My working theory is that music, when it conveys emotions, helps the brain to experience those emotions. When we dance, we allow all that emotional energy to flow through us. Emotions are energy flowing through our bodies, not just our brains, and dancing with those emotions helps us to feel them more than simply intellectually processing them does.
I’m going to try to write something on dancing. Maybe that will help me pay attention better to what’s happening to me when I do it. Recommendations for good dance music are always welcome, Mia!
Would love to read it when you’re done! Some go-to artists are John Summit, Subtronics, Seven Lions, Martin Garrix, Dimension. Poke around in their stuff and let me know what you like and I can give more recommendations based on that
Such a wonderfully written piece which captures the delicate dance between logic and emotion, two things which fascinate me.
I think there is an equilibrium of sorts between both for matters which impact and enhance our soul (in the sense our heart may direct us to do something but that we have to take logical action to physically align) but there’s a heavy outside pressure from the (apparent) logical forces creating and shaping our world.
Emotion is an highly undermined/overlooked force for good — for ourselves and our soul’s truth — and your piece is a persuasive reminder why we should embrace our feelings. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thank you, Joanna! That's so well said. It reminds me of this analogy that the heart leads and the ego executes. Or another way to say it: the heart is the compass, the ego is the vehicle 😇
Nice article. I've been a student of this for years and last year, wrote an essay, called the feeling capacity.
I make a distinction between emotions and feelings. Emotions are more reactive, often intense, and on the surface, or at least, rise to the surface.
Feelings are more of the language of the heart and tap into the soul. Sometimes, at the root of an emotion. ie - you feel very angry and frustrated (emotion). You then work with it, go into it, inquire into it, and find that the anger is fueled by an old hurt (feeling).
They are deeper and usually reveal hidden truths. Feelings are where healing takes place.
That's so interesting, thank you for sharing, Robert. The distinction I previously came across is that emotions are acute and feelings are lingering. If emotions don't "flow" through the body and are processed in the moment, they can turn into lingering feelings. I've found the acute and immediate emotions to be a profound teacher as they reveal the needs in the very moment. (If those are then ignored, it may turn into an ongoing feeling.)
The science of the heart is as subjective as it gets, it's nice to contemplate different experiences 😊
Coincidence - I had exactly the same thought while reading this article and already sent it to some of my clients. It is written in such a way that I could not better explain the way I work with my clients - greatful to you Julia for that masterpiece.
So grateful to both of you, thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to get the support from those who have dedicated their life to the inner workings and have so much experience working directly with people 🙏
Damn I love your writing!! Been putting this article off for a while because I struggle with feeling feelings. This article was a joy to read though. Have to quiet the mind to listen to the hearts whispers.
I have learned so much from psychedelics and your writings help remind me of things I have lost or misunderstood in translation. I share your substack with everyone I love!
You so beautifully put into words my current perspective and journey 🙏🏻💗
I am still unlocking layers, but I have not found anything as magical as somatic work for myself. Being with the energy in the body and trusting it is so powerful! 😊
Beautiful Julia! Emotions truly are a bridge to our soul. When looked at from this perspective, we can understand that difficult emotions are actually our friends and allies.
A fresh way to journey into the depths. I loved the piece. I felt like this was a sober exposure of the contrast between the heart and the mind. I felt that your perception is that there is a spectrum between the heart and mind, not that it is either fully on one or fully on another. This was very beautiful. You write in such delicate, soft, pulling, truthful, soul-filled manner. Thank you for your gift. C.
I actually read a book about this a while ago that was quite interesting, called 'How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain' by Lisa Feldman Barrett. Barrett argues that the brain interprets bodily sensations based on past experiences and context, making predictions about the meaning.
I absolutely agree with you Julia! When I practised law, 'they' said emotion had nothing to do with our conflict. LOL I know work with the feeling self to solve problems. And I love your reference Dr Jill Bolte Taylor's story and her 90 second rule. I used it in my first book for lawyers.
Thanks so much :) My first book is called “Let’s Kiss All the Lawyers! … said no-one, ever”. I wrote it after a cathartic life event rending my professional life at odds with a new belief system that was taking over me. Yes, I am working with lawyers and others in the conflict resolution space. Slowly, the message is being heard :)
Wonderful read! For me, both psychedelics and frequent dancing have been the key. I hadn’t before made the connection that dance was helping me because I needed the body—not just the mind—to release my emotions
I love that you mention dance! It's played a huge role in my journey, too!
If you’ve written at all about dance, I’d love to take a look!
I have not connected my love for dance with my need to feel, Mia. I have always thought of the two—body and emotions—as two separate realms. Could you give me an example? I’m afraid I’m a little of a stupid about my emotions and their relation to my body.
Chris! I love this question because I also spent a long time dancing without realizing that it was helping me heal. My working theory is that music, when it conveys emotions, helps the brain to experience those emotions. When we dance, we allow all that emotional energy to flow through us. Emotions are energy flowing through our bodies, not just our brains, and dancing with those emotions helps us to feel them more than simply intellectually processing them does.
I’m going to try to write something on dancing. Maybe that will help me pay attention better to what’s happening to me when I do it. Recommendations for good dance music are always welcome, Mia!
Would love to read it when you’re done! Some go-to artists are John Summit, Subtronics, Seven Lions, Martin Garrix, Dimension. Poke around in their stuff and let me know what you like and I can give more recommendations based on that
thanks mia! i will
Such a wonderfully written piece which captures the delicate dance between logic and emotion, two things which fascinate me.
I think there is an equilibrium of sorts between both for matters which impact and enhance our soul (in the sense our heart may direct us to do something but that we have to take logical action to physically align) but there’s a heavy outside pressure from the (apparent) logical forces creating and shaping our world.
Emotion is an highly undermined/overlooked force for good — for ourselves and our soul’s truth — and your piece is a persuasive reminder why we should embrace our feelings. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thank you, Joanna! That's so well said. It reminds me of this analogy that the heart leads and the ego executes. Or another way to say it: the heart is the compass, the ego is the vehicle 😇
Yes 🙌
Nice article. I've been a student of this for years and last year, wrote an essay, called the feeling capacity.
I make a distinction between emotions and feelings. Emotions are more reactive, often intense, and on the surface, or at least, rise to the surface.
Feelings are more of the language of the heart and tap into the soul. Sometimes, at the root of an emotion. ie - you feel very angry and frustrated (emotion). You then work with it, go into it, inquire into it, and find that the anger is fueled by an old hurt (feeling).
They are deeper and usually reveal hidden truths. Feelings are where healing takes place.
That's so interesting, thank you for sharing, Robert. The distinction I previously came across is that emotions are acute and feelings are lingering. If emotions don't "flow" through the body and are processed in the moment, they can turn into lingering feelings. I've found the acute and immediate emotions to be a profound teacher as they reveal the needs in the very moment. (If those are then ignored, it may turn into an ongoing feeling.)
The science of the heart is as subjective as it gets, it's nice to contemplate different experiences 😊
Great article. I will be sending on to my patients, I may even lose a few and that would be a gift 🎁 again thank you. Doc.
Coincidence - I had exactly the same thought while reading this article and already sent it to some of my clients. It is written in such a way that I could not better explain the way I work with my clients - greatful to you Julia for that masterpiece.
So grateful to both of you, thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to get the support from those who have dedicated their life to the inner workings and have so much experience working directly with people 🙏
Damn I love your writing!! Been putting this article off for a while because I struggle with feeling feelings. This article was a joy to read though. Have to quiet the mind to listen to the hearts whispers.
I have learned so much from psychedelics and your writings help remind me of things I have lost or misunderstood in translation. I share your substack with everyone I love!
Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words, Kade. Means more than you know!!!
You so beautifully put into words my current perspective and journey 🙏🏻💗
I am still unlocking layers, but I have not found anything as magical as somatic work for myself. Being with the energy in the body and trusting it is so powerful! 😊
Thank you so much for the sweet words, Amber! So glad to hear you are also enjoying the sweet fruits of this work 😍
Have you read psychocybernetics? Good book that resonates with this post.
I have not heard about it and just googled it, now very intrigued. Will go on my reading list. Thanks for the recommendation, Julie 🙏
You're welcome!
Beautiful Julia! Emotions truly are a bridge to our soul. When looked at from this perspective, we can understand that difficult emotions are actually our friends and allies.
"Emotions are a bridge to our soul" -- beautifully said, Becca. Perhaps even THE bridge...
So well written, Julia. I'll be sharing with clients.
Thank you Caitlin, greatest compliment you could make 🙏
Hey Caitlin, we hang out in good places! Fun to see you here! I loved this too. So IFS friendly without being overly parts-talky.
A fresh way to journey into the depths. I loved the piece. I felt like this was a sober exposure of the contrast between the heart and the mind. I felt that your perception is that there is a spectrum between the heart and mind, not that it is either fully on one or fully on another. This was very beautiful. You write in such delicate, soft, pulling, truthful, soul-filled manner. Thank you for your gift. C.
Chelton, thank you for the incredibly kind words 🙏
You are welcome, Julia.
No, I think we live in a world confusing areas of knowledge where logic, science and reason apply, with those where it does not apply:
https://federicosotodelalba.substack.com/p/studying-behavior-is-not-going-to?r=4up0lp
How are emotions created?
I actually read a book about this a while ago that was quite interesting, called 'How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain' by Lisa Feldman Barrett. Barrett argues that the brain interprets bodily sensations based on past experiences and context, making predictions about the meaning.
Thank you. I wondered whether you considered Feldman Barrett's thinking in this post. Did you? If so, how does it relate or not? If not, why not?
This is such a valuable piece of writing. Thank you for making it accessible!
Thank you so much Hailey, so glad it resonated!!
I absolutely agree with you Julia! When I practised law, 'they' said emotion had nothing to do with our conflict. LOL I know work with the feeling self to solve problems. And I love your reference Dr Jill Bolte Taylor's story and her 90 second rule. I used it in my first book for lawyers.
I love that, Virginia! What was your first book about? Are you working with lawyers on emotional intelligence specifically?
Thanks so much :) My first book is called “Let’s Kiss All the Lawyers! … said no-one, ever”. I wrote it after a cathartic life event rending my professional life at odds with a new belief system that was taking over me. Yes, I am working with lawyers and others in the conflict resolution space. Slowly, the message is being heard :)
Interested!
Awesome Grace will share more soon 🥰
I'm interested in your 30 day challenge.
Awesome, already working on something, will share more soon! 🙏