Getting in touch with emotions is how healing occurs. If things are censored, held back, or smoothed over, and if there is a lot of tension and turmoil, it’s important to get in touch with the emotions underneath. Pushing feelings down is an avoidance of the intensity of the emotions. In this journey, one has to stop playing hide and seek with feelings.
David Hoffmeister gives an example of a previous retreat in Sweden where emotions ran high because of a limited menu. It was important that the participants talked about their emotions and what brought up the emotions. This was perfect for the beginning of an ACIM retreat; to expose and release all the emotions tied to an experience.
Imagine how much faster your relationships would heal if you were open to sharing your emotions. It’s the fastest way to undo the egoic people-pleasing pattern!