Why Feel?

As we can expect y’all, life keeps on life-ing. How is everyone doing out there? 

I am sure that what we’re doing here has everything to do with being together, being together while we’re experiencing and exploring the breadth of what it means to be alive. In the many or few ways in which we are connected, I’m glad to be here with you right now.

Grief has been a big theme for me over the past few months. I know it has been for many of us. We are experiencing what might be the most violence many of us have seen in our lifetimes as we watch detailed accounts of the genocide and atrocities in Gaza and Palestine on our phones. The legislative session has begun as it does, and we are again receiving the onslaught of racist, transphobic, and homophobic legislation here in Missouri and across the country. I have also personally experienced the loss of my 13-year old kitty and my “twin” cousin this winter. I invite you to pause reading and notice what you’re feeling right now? Can you notice any sensations in your body, below the neck? Not noticing anything is also a noticing.

The landscape of sadness has been a familiar one for me throughout my life. I’d say it’s the feeling state that has most shaped me. Grief, despair, hopelessness, etc. are familiar and, although unpleasant, somewhat comfortable territory for me to hang in. I experience other feeling landscapes like anger or anxiety often, but they are more difficult for me to be in and be around. And yes, there is also joy and contentment. What about you? Do you have go to feeling states? Are there ones that are more comfortable than others? Do they all feel uncomfortable and familiar? There’s “no bad” any way you answer. It’s all just information.

One of the classic questions in a politicized somatic lineage I practice is: “Why feel?” When part of being alive is experiencing pain and being uncomfortable, why feel? I feel because when I feel I feel alive. Feeling alive feels preferable to me than not. It can also be fun. I feel because I feel more connected to myself, to the world around me, to what I care about, and to others. I feel because when I feel I have more clarity about what’s going on and I can make choices and moves based on that knowing. And still with my desire to feel, sometimes I don’t. What about you? What’s your answer to “Why feel”?

Part of the work we’re doing together in the acupuncture clinic is increasing access to feeling. Acupuncture is about returning you to yourself and to what is. And that often means feeling more.

Like I mentioned at the beginning, here we are together as we feel and live life. And I’m glad to be here right now with you, in all that comes our way.