Beyond Reacting | by Madisyn Taylor We have all had the experience of reacting in a way that was less than ideal upon hearing bad news, or being unfairly criticized, or being told something we did not want to hear. This makes sense because when our emotions are triggered, they tend to take center stage, inhibiting our ability to pause before we speak. We may feel compelled to release the tension by expressing ourselves in some way, whether it's yelling back at the person yelling at us, or rushing to deliver words of comfort to a friend in trouble. However, there is much to be said for teaching ourselves to remember to pause and take a deep breath before we respond to the shocks and insults that can come our way in life. For one thing, our initial response is not always what's best for us, or for the other people involved. Reacting to childish rage with childish rage will only escalate the negativity in a situation, further ensnaring us in an undesirable dynamic. Similarly, when we react defensively, or simply thoughtlessly, we often end up feeling regret over our words or actions. In the end, we save ourselves a lot of pain when we take a deep breath and really tune in to ourselves, and the other person, before we respond. This doesn't necessarily mean we don't say anything, although in some cases, that may be the best option. Some situations require a fairly immediate response, but even just a moment of grounding ourselves before we do so can help enormously. The next time you find yourself wanting to react, try to pause, and in that pause, take a deep breath. Feel your feet on the floor, the air on your skin, and listen for a response to arise within you, rather than just going with the first thing that pops into your head. You may find that in that moment, there is the potential to move beyond reaction and into the more subtle and creative realm of response, where something new can happen. | DailyOM Course Spotlight by Pema Chodron We all know what it's like to be triggered-- to have said something we wish we hadn't, or reacted in a way that wasn't helpful. What if there was a way to interrupt our knee-jerk responses and make a different choice? Each of us gets hooked in habitual ways of seeing the world, but how we respond to these situations will in large part determine how much peace and freedom we experience in our lives. These are the Tibetan teachings of shenpa, as taught by bestselling author and American Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön. In this course, Pema shares the liberating wisdom of an approach that she uses in her personal daily practice, along with tools for putting it to work in our own lives. The purpose of this course is to help you see the ways in which you get caught or "hooked" in habitual responses to life, and how you can learn to choose a "fresh alternative," thereby experiencing a life of freedom, joy, and true happiness. Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. Overcoming Body Shame 2. Fit and Fierce Over 40 3. You Are What You Think 4. 21 Day Plant-Based Plan for a Lighter, Happier YOU! 5. Chair Yoga for Healing, Strength and Mobility 6. From Codependent to Independent 7. Overcoming Body Stiffness 8. Be Free from Unhealthy Relationships 9. 21 Days to Phenomenal Abdominals 10. 8 Week Whole Body Makeover!
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