Complaining Can be a Mindfulness Practice

[@auberjean6873]

I came here for your mask video and liked your presentation so much I decided to check out your other content. Boy, am I glad I did! I was drawn to this talk of yours. Found a lot of gems in your words. Came for the mask, stayed for the un-masking of emotions. Well done.

[@EmotionDynamics]

Welcome aboard!

[@galina-healing]

Thank you so much for the video, for the depth of understanding of emotions. I am in the same place: my level of intensity (I am not a childhood sexual trauma survivor, while I have my share of trauma, I am just a very intense person by birth and extremely empathic - it happens with some people) ... so my level of intensity is way too much for people around me. I used to shut down everything and just eat some food and eat more food again. When I read in your book about complaining it was such a relief! I took a stone from the seaside to complain to. I complain to trees who are generous in providing comfort and listening. I do complaining in writing. It is such a relief, the permission to complain in our heroic culture. As a therapist I am more capable of staying with my clients who just need to complain and be heard. So good. Thank you!

[@soup2634]

Karla, I appreciate you and the work you're doing :) Thank you

[@vickilynn9514]

Anger is about love, not violence. Love it! Thank you Karla

[@EmotionDynamics]

Thank you! And thanks, anger!

[@csandersp]

Hi Carla, thanks for the video and the book. It is very helpful to me. The first exercises worked really well for me but in the complaining I somehow got stuck. I lacked the energy and it felt artificial. I guess I am not really giving myself permission to complain (I always judge complaints in others as weakness ...). Anyway do you have any further suggestions to signal to myself it is ok to complain? Suggestions from anyone welcome!

[@EmotionDynamics]

Hello Tilman! We have all heard a LOT of rules against complaining, so it's not surprising that it's uncomfortable for you. I would say that there's no need to push it if it feels artificial. There may be another emotional honesty practice that works better for you -- or you might not require a complaining practice.

[@csandersp]

Thank you very much for taking the time for a kind response!

[@galina-healing]

I think that people who are "too much", who are born with this innate emotional intensity are born this way because they will eventually teach in groups of people. The emotions will find the balancing points, the way of homecoming.