Pain and pleasure

At times like this (2020 pandemic)  it is really easy to get lost in all of the uncertainty around us. The truth is that things are not easy for many people in different ways.

There is evidence to the idea that we are hardwired for a ‘negativity bias’… meaning, our minds will tend to look for, and focus on, the bad around us- making us forget there is good stuff happening too.

This is not about looking for  'positive spins'; personally, I find such motivational talks cliché and insincere. Is not about denial.

What really gets my heart warmed up however, is recognising that it’s possible for more things to be true at once.
Getting on board with a multicoloured world view reduces the impact of seeing the world as only black and white.

Here are some examples:  

We can be in the middle of a global crisis AND we can be grateful for having a cosy home...

It's true thousands of people are losing their jobs AND we can be grateful for the government supporting them or we could help them...

Somebody can be in a concentration camp AND sing a song to their child...

We can love someone with such intensity AND disagree with them or let go of their presence in our life... 

We can be mindful about our impact on the environment ( 'A life on our planet' presented by David Attenborough shows the climate emergency we currently live in) AND enjoy a walk in the park ....

 This is a powerful time to practice holding multiple feelings at once. We tend to go to pain at the exclusion of pleasure. Many of us go to fear or dissociation or denial instead. I know I often do it...
These feelings are more familiar and socially acceptable  than pleasure.
But they serve nobody. 

An antidote may be to practice feeling pleasure for yourself AND compassion for others at the same time.

This is a highly nourishing practice.

Patting your head and rubbing your tummy...balancing both feelings in your heart.

One way of bringing more pleasure into your life is orgasmic yoga (see my blog post about it) or having a gentle and relaxing tantric massage.

Love

Rosie x