Christopher asks you to imagine throwing a Halloween party where 200 guests show up in wild costumes. When a rush of emotions, thoughts or memories arrives in meditation, you can suspend judgment on good and bad and welcome everybody in, imagining there is something here to learn, heal or integrate. After meditation, you choose what to say yes or no to.
'Welcome everybody in all of their costumes to come in.'
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More from the course
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The Ocean Has Layers: Why the First 10 Minutes Feel Busy
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Questions people ask
What should I do when difficult emotions come up in meditation?
Christopher suggests imagining you are throwing a Halloween party and 200 guests arrive in all kinds of costumes. Rushes of emotion, memories or worries can come through when you sit. Meditation is a chance to suspend judgment about good and bad and welcome everybody in, imagining there may be something here to learn, to heal or to integrate.
Are so-called negative emotions a problem in meditation?
Christopher notes that energies like greed, regret or envy have equal play in our life with the ones we prefer, and they rarely have space to be explored or expressed. When they show up in meditation, you can welcome them. The next day the party is over, and you have free will as to what you engage with.
Does welcoming a feeling mean I have to act on it?
No. Christopher is clear that the choices come later. After meditation you can say yes or no, or set a boundary. Inside the sit you simply give each guest a little space. The article Thoughts Won't Stop During Meditation? has more on this practice.