Physiology & Emotion

Like most people, I have big dreams and grand goals.  And like most people, I have found that my emotions are usually the biggest obstacles to reaching those dreams.

It’s easy to focus on outside forces.  It’s easy to blame the outside world for our failure to live according to our highest principles… for our highest dreams.

But the deep truth is that we are our main enemy.  Specifically, it is our lack of emotional mastery that sabotages our highest aspirations.

What prevented me from starting my own business for so many years, for example?

I told myself it was lack of money, lack of experience, etc.  But the obstacles were fear and doubt.

I couldn’t manage my fear.   I focused on my doubts.

Eventually, I reached an emotional threshhold and learned how to master my emotions.  After that, everything unfolded almost effortlessly.

Of course, it wasn’t effortless…  but it felt effortless because the negative emotions had drained away– such that work no longer felt like work, effort felt like play.

So this is a very serious subject– emotional mastery.   We absolutely must learn to master our emotional states, or we will forever be slaves.

But how?

I’ve found that the easiest way to master my emotional states is by mastering my physiology.  In other words, the body gives us a fast and easy means of instantly altering any debilitating emotion.

Depression, for example, requires a certain physiology.   I have found it almost impossible to feel severely depressed while simultaneously holding my shoulders back, my chin up, my eyes wide open.  To that I add a huge fake grin.  After a minute or more of holding my body in this way, the emotion of depression lessens considerably or disappears altogether.   I’m then in a much more resourceful state to actually deal with my problems, rather than wallow in self-pity.

Exercise is another well-known way to alter physiology, and thus emotion.  In fact, sedentary friends and family are often confused about my addiction to exercise.  They think I’m obsessed with being thin and fit.  I like those benefits, but to be totally honest– I’m most deeply addicted to the emotional lift that exercise gives me:   greater optimism, greater emotional energy, euphoria, etc….

Lately, I’ve been much more conscious of mastering my emotions.  I’ve learned some methods from Tony Robbins’ seminars.  I’ve read a lot on this subject and have been experimenting with myself.

So now, every day, I consciously trigger empowering emotions– and condition them more deeply.  I consciously put myself in an energized, grateful, happy emotional state.   First and foremost, I do this by changing my posture–  as I sit, as I walk, as I go about my day.  I keep my shoulders back, my chest up, my eyes open.

I also remain conscious of my breathing–  being sure to take long deep breaths from the gut throughout the day.

It seems too simple, doesn’t it?   And yet, the emotional transformation has been outstanding.   My daily emotional experience is far more positive.  As a result, I’m far more energized and motivated…. and as a result of that, my actions are more congruent with my highest principles, dreams, and aspirations.

I therefore encourage you to experiment with this.  Focus on your own physiology for 30 days.   Be constantly aware of your posture, facial expressions, and breathing.  Specifically:

• Keep your shoulders back and chest up (especially when feeling bad)
• Keep your eyes up and open
• Keep your chin up (literally)
• Take deep breaths from the gut
• Exercise aerobically (walk, jump, run, swim, whatever…

Do this for 30 days, and then notice the transformation in your EMOTIONAL PATTERNS.  I know you’ll find a very positive change.