A popular topic of debate in the body-based therapy scene relates to the word “release.” People have heard the expression “emotional release” and the idea attracts them.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to “release” stuck old feelings that we have a sense to be blocking us? Or perhaps we had an experience of emotional release - of something stuck within us that we somehow let go of.
The notion of being able to release emotions, however, also attracts people who simply don’t want to feel emotions. They don’t want to feel the depth of anger repressed within them. They don’t want to feel the level of vulnerability. To these guys, the notion of being able to “release” emotions, without having to feel or show them, seems like a godsend.
Emotional release can absolutely happen. There are cathartic exercises that help to facilitate it. They usually involve sound and movement. You begin with a mechanical repetitive movement and, at some point, you feel something inside of you take over, a release is starting. You make unscripted sound at the same time. Later, you feel freer - more open and more grounded.
Likewise, you may find that simply holding a certain Bioenergetic posture for a while, whilst breathing and feeling your body, triggers a spontaneous movement to take place - a release.
So, emotional release really can happen. But it’s also important to check in with yourself - am I open to feel? Because if you’re not, then release may happen for a while. But at a certain point, you’ll find yourself becoming addicted to release exercises and, like a drug, the effect diminishes over time.
Yep, emotions are like subconscious calculations and without feeling them, they return in other ways.
In some cases it leads to mental illness.
A friend of mine became schizophrenic from her own inner stress.
It didn't help her that she believed in ghosts and spirit forces which only amplified her issue.
We need to start questioning popular spirituality, including major religions and new age.
It wasn't until she faced her internal demons that she got back to reality.
“Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence.” - Robert Anton Wilson
Thank you for this distinction and nuance. Now that you mention it, I think I have noticed this pattern in certain people, but could not actually identify it until now. 🙏