Your System is Triggered for One of These Two Reasons

Louise Kay Podcast - A podcast by Louise Kay

• Join Louise for a weekly live guided meditation followed by Q&A on Zoom (by donation). Register here: https://www.louisekay.net/zoom.html • Upcoming In-person Retreats:https://www.louisekay.net/retreats.htmlWhen you experience a big emotion arising one of two things is happening:1. A circumstance, situation or experience has awakening an unprocessed, dormant emotion which has been held in the body. Usually if this is the case, the emotion that is felt is disproportionate to the situation and it also has a familiar feeling, often a feeling that was felt during childhood.What to do in this case:Recognise and acknowledge that an old wound has been activated. If possible remove yourself from the external trigger. Bring your attention fully present into the now.Don't give interest in any thought or mental story.Recognise yourself as the aware witness (pure consciousness perceiving).Very gently allow the body to consciously feel the uncomfortable sensations.If resistance arises, acknowledge it and simply notice it, including that too.2. The emotion that you are feeling is your internal guidance system communicating something to you, for example, my boundaries are being crossed / it isn't true for me to be here or doing this / a real danger is present.What to do in this case:Bring your attention fully present into the now.Don't give interest in any thought or mental story.Allow your body to deeply feel the emotion.Focus your attention on and as aware spaciousness (pure being).Observe the options for action that are available to you in the moment.While remaining present and embodied take action on the option which feels most aligned and true.Note: Sometimes both types of emotions are present at the same time. This makes it more challenging to discern which action is true to take because the pain body emotion can cloud reality. However, by following the guidance and practicing this teaching with consistency clarity will reveal itself more easily.This is a clip from the Toronto retreat on June 12th, 2025.Louise Kay holds group events and retreats online and around the world.For more details visit http://www.louisekay.net/