purifying ourselves

If we want to see the light in ourselves and in others than we need to let go of the thoughts, perceptions and feelings that blind us from Truth.

So often I see myself reacting to others and situations based on behaviors and reactions that were conditioned from my past.  Both Adya and Michael Singer talk about letting the emotions move through us in order to be free of these past issues (or blockages).

Adyashanti talks about "having a complete experience" which is to "find the capacity to feel what we feel without creating more thoughts about it." (falling into grace, p. 107) The goal is to feel the feelings all the way through and not just repress them nor act them out.  It also means not telling ourselves a story about the feelings (e.g., if we are sad about the loss of a job not telling ourselves something like "I'll never find another job in this economy" or "I'm such a failure.").  Just feel the sadness (or whatever the feeling is) and let go of the judgments and conclusions.

Adya says that crying occurs because "our bodies are trying to purify us by washing away painful and toxic emotions...(but) our mind is doing the opposite.  It is re-traumatizing us with its stories and conclusions."  (falling into grace, p. 108)

There is a very bright light in each and every one of us just waiting to shine.  The judgments and conclusions that we make about what is occurring in our lives keep us from experiencing our light and from seeing the light in others.  It is also the avoidance of painful emotions that keeps us blocked from the light.  By staying centered in the moment we can allow life to show us which thoughts and feelings are blocking us from the light and we can choose to let them go.