Russell Davis – Cognitive Hypnotherapist

So what is a feeling?  A feeling is a method of communication, a means for your mind and body to tell you something.  It is letting you know whether you are OK or not – whether your needs are being met or not (not a need for a new ipad but bigger needs such as safety, love, peace….).

So knowing this if you get a feeling what is it trying to tell you?  What needs are, or are not, being met.  When we have what we usually label a ‘positive’ feeling (happiness, peace etc.) it is a sign that our needs are being met.  When we have what we typically label as a ‘negative’ feeling (e.g. anger, guilt, doubt, fear,craving) it is a sign that our needs are not being met.

Another factor in this is the story you tell yourself about any given situation – which may or may not be true, it is just what you tell yourself.  So when you have a feeling (e.g. anxiety) ask yourself  ’I am feeling anxious because I am telling myself…. because my need for ……is not being met.   For example if I am feeling angry about a situation it could be ‘I am feeling angry because I am telling myself I am the victim in this situation and my need to be treated as an equal is not being met’.

Now you know the need that is not being met – what can you do about it?  Make a list of the things within your control you can do to start meeting that need.

So all feelings are a communication tool to help you meet your emotional and physical needs.   They are there to protect you and keep to happy.  They also are doing an important job so if you ignore them or resist them they don’t go away until they know you have heard and understood.  What you resist persists.

Knowing this, when you get that feeling of doubt, anger, fear..you can now identify the need that is not being met and you may notice how the feeling fades.  You can even thank it for what it was telling you.

Try it out for size you may be surprised at what you experience!  Let me know how you get on!

Enjoy!