The progression of feelings, emotions….or reactions…
they arise…
they abide for awhile…
they dissolve
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The very rapid progression that I’ve noticed, as I develop more awareness of my own reactions…
Something happens….
- “thoughts” often arises about what happened…
- perhaps personalizing the thoughts or reactions and feeling a sense of “ego” being impacted…
- perhaps awakening “associated memories” tying in with other related incidents or reactions…
- leading to the arising of “feelings”…
- the “feelings” lasting a certain amount of time…abiding…
- sometimes, lasting less time, if one doesn’t keep thinking or ruminating about the incident(s)…..
- sometimes, lingering a longer time, if one can’t “let it go”…
- sometimes spinning off into “multiple chains of memories” tying in with the feeling…potentially leading to even more variety of awakened feelings…
- eventually leading to the “dissolving” of the feeling or emotion…
- a progression…
- arise, abide, dissolve….
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a bit like clouds…arising, abiding and passing through
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Isn’t it remarkable how “simple” this process seems? But in the midst of it, it sure DOESN’T feel “simple”… it can feel all encompassing. I’m learning (slowly) that the more I can…
- step outside of the midst,
- observe the progression,
- watch the often expanding associated memory chain reactions and feeling reactions and interactions…
- the more I can abide with alert interest…rather than just a sense of vulnerability
- the less overwhelming it can seem to be
- and the sooner the feeling or reaction seems to dissipate or dissolve
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I’ve found that learning to use the ideas explained on the following “cards” really supports this developing awareness….
- learning to, and being more able to, watch the fast paced (!!) developing chain of associated memories or positions that gets awakened or set off…
- what a FAST (!!!) progression there can be from one reaction to an expanded and elaborated life history of positions or reactions…
- the mind is incredible in these fast paced associative abilities!
- Really, it’s quite amazing!
- (although, when my own mind is doing this, it’s a problem too…but the “mind” is kind of fascinating in it’s pace, memory, associations and strength..wow! And watching and observing it is sometimes far more helpful and positive than “being” in the midst of the reaction)
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And so…to have faith in…
and trust that…
feeling and emotions,
whether positive or negative,
whether they feel good or uncomfortable,
they have a progression…they can be watched
they can be understood and “worked with,”
there can be more awareness,
they will
arise…abide…dissolve
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throughout a day in a life….?
Pocket Perspectives 
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Mindful living, which includes the observation of our thoughts and reactions, I think is the only way to live, or else we get caught up in the ups and downs of the world and our mind. Not always easy, but worth the practice.
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I agree…not always easy…in fact, I think it’s kind of difficult, but there isn’t much choice…practicing reminding myself of this progression has lead to better “coping” and much more steadiness…and not doing it just perpetuates the reactions and the length of time the last…so hard as it can be, I keep practicing… : )
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When something strikes a “discordant note” . . . I try to step back into the role of disinterested observer as soon as possible. Then I can be more mindful about whether and how to respond without giving in to Ego’s incessant demands.
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Nancy….you have a “better behaved” ego than the one over here…. : ) This one seems to snare the observer’s emotions and run off in tangential directions! The dynamics of mind are amazing!
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The images are really beautiful! I enjoyed this. Our emotions are a radar that lets us know how we’re doing! I try to pay attention and do some “self-talk” when the emotions take charge. I need to be the one in the driver’s seat! 🙂
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Ah yes, self talk…the challenge, at least for me, seems to be to get the emotions/mind to listen to that reasonable, rational thought…but it happens with practice. I’m taking an interesting class where we’re discussing the relationship of language on/with the mind… (yesterday’s “class/conversation:” http://dharma-college.com/2012-summerlecturesfree/ And the Wednesday class that I’m taking… about similar ideas http://dharma-college.com/2012-schedule/course-key-questions/ Both classes have set off some remarkable inquiry. )
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I truly never thought about “the progression of feelings.” I must learn to be more mindful.
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Me, too…I hope the ideas are helpful. Until several years ago, I hadn’t been “consciously” aware of that progression… I wonder…how did I not realize that? I find it helpful to try to keep that idea in awareness, but still difficult. (I got to “practice” reminding myself of that progression lots yesterday as H. and I cleared out/cleaned out 3 floor to ceiling shelves of tools/hardware/office supplies/project supplies/stuff in the laundry room…talk about arise!, abide, dissolve…wow! emotions and possessions!)
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I love the wavy, cloudy way you went about this. The clouds, in particular, are very helpful to me as I use cloud imagery for stilling my mind (thoughts are clouds, allowed to float across the sky of the mind). 🙂
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