Embodying an Emotion vs. Identifying with an Emotion (Channelling vs. Shadow Possession)
Introduction
With the rise of somatic practices in the personal development world, you’ve likely seen content around “embodying” an emotion. However, what I haven’t seen talked about in my circles is the difference between that and identifying with an emotion. It's easy to conflate the two as they both involve the emotion (and respective shadow aspects) gaining access to our physical body in ways. Though these processes may seem similar, they're distinctly different and understanding this distinction is crucial if our goal is to release stored emotion and reclaim rejected aspects of Self.
Wearing our Emotions vs. When Emotions Wear Us
I’ve found myself saying to many clients in recent months that to identify with an emotion is to "wear it like a hat." This is a concept that speaks to the psychic and physical somatic awareness I teach in sessions. When we are wearing our emotions (as opposed to just holding them) the thoughts and perceptions tied to the emotion feel so deeply true that they become our reality in that moment, regardless of their subjective nature. This phenomenon is a part of what we call Shadow Possession.
The Grip of Shadow Possession
Shadow possession occurs when an emotion (and all the limiting beliefs tied to that emotion) takes over, causing us to become reactive or even act out of alignment with our core values. It’s like being in the driver's seat but not having control of the steering wheel. It’s the moment in which we find ourselves knowing better (at least logically), but ‘doing the bad thing’ anyway. This loss of control can be subtle or it can be overwhelming. When we're in the throes of such an emotional state, our capacity to hold opposing or conflicting truths dwindles, even in the face of concrete evidence. This happens because the Shadow aspect in possession is trying to meet a need or protect us from something.
Once the possessing shadow aspect feels safe again and releases our consciousness, we can find ourselves able to return to a more balanced perspective, sometimes wondering how we could have been so consumed by the emotion in the first place. It feels like “waking up” to a different reality, even when the external environment remains the same. We find ourselves remembering what we may have logically known was true the whole time, but somehow had forgotten or discarded evidence for it.
Want to learn somatic-based tools and personalized active imagination sequences to work with your shadow (and stop shadow possession before it starts)? Book a consult call.
Embodying an Emotion: The Conscious Inner Parent
On the other hand, the practice of embodying an emotion is about allowing the shadow aspect to express itself through our body somatically to meet our need in a safe and healthy way. This process is about being present with the emotion, feeling it in its raw form through physical sensation, and allowing it to have fuller access to our body to release (in an safe, boundaried way), without also letting it dictate our actions or cloud our perceptions. It’s about acknowledgment, not agreement.
When we embody an emotion, we create space for it, listen to it, and meet its needs in ways that perhaps were not available to us when we were younger. We let the emotion move through us freely, all without ever losing our core sense of Self. In an embodiment practice, our conscious mind remains anchored in a position of Gentle Observer, despite whatever other Parts come online, and that Gentle Observer provides support to the Shadow aspect in movement. Embodiment practices feel like having a conscious inner parent watching over the inner child, ensuring that their expression is safe, healthy; and, not only NOT harmful to themselves or others, but actually empowering to that child and the family system as a whole. That inner child is not only safe to be exactly as they are, but they are loved for it.
Can you imagine what it would feel like to not only NOT be punished or rejected for those parts of you, but to be actively loved for them?
The practice of embodying an emotion facilitates a powerful interplay between awareness and expression. We allow the emotion to be, to express, and to process, all under the watchful, caring eye of our conscious Self. This act of presence and support can be incredibly healing because we learn to validate an emotion’s existence where our caregivers or community weren’t able to in the past, which is what usually initiates repression in the first place. This is the healing power of presence. This is to learn to love ourselves for the things that in the past has caused us pain.
3 Tips for Your Embodiment Practice:
Embracing our emotions in a healthy way requires intentionality and creativity. Here are three tips that can help you embody your emotions while maintaining a nurturing and supportive environment:
Create a Container
Think of this as setting the stage for your emotions to express themselves freely and safely. Establishing a container with a clear opening and closing signals to your shadow aspects that there's a designated time and space for release. This can be as simple as lighting a candle at the start and blowing it out at the end, playing a specific song, or any ritual that resonates with you. This symbolic act serves as a 'green light' for emotions to surface and a 'red light' signaling their time to return. It's a way of telling your deeper self, "This is your time to be heard and seen, and now it's time to rest again."
Use Creative Expression as a Vehicle for Emotional Release
Once you've opened the container, let your shadow aspects guide your creative expression. Whether it's through art, writing, or any form of creativity, allow these parts to move your body while you maintain a gentle observer's mind. Revisit activities you loved as a child and embrace them with childlike enthusiasm. If judgmental thoughts arise, acknowledge them with love and return to your activity. Engaging in affirming self-talk like, "Go ahead, little one," or "What a beautiful creation!" can be incredibly supportive. Remember, this is not about creating masterpieces; it's about allowing your inner world to express itself freely.
Engage Your Imagination
Imagination is a powerful tool in emotional embodiment. It allows us to explore our emotions in a space that is both safe and boundless. When you're in your creative container, let your imagination run wild. Visualize your emotions as colors, shapes, or characters. Let these visualizations guide your creative expression. This not only helps in externalizing complex emotions but also in understanding them from a different, often more compassionate perspective. This also allows the creative centers in your brain to come online, which by proxy, communicates to the rest of the nervous system that you are safe. You are safe in your emotions. This happens because creative thinking is the first thing to go when our brains perceive a threat. So by intentionally fostering space to be creative, we are also fostering a sense of emotional safety. And as I find myself saying almost every single day, our emotions are habits! So lets intentionally habituate the pleasant ones!
In Closing: A Dance with Our Inner World
Embodying our emotions is like engaging in a dance with our inner world – a dance where we lead with empathy, creativity, and understanding. By creating a safe container, expressing ourselves creatively, and engaging our imagination, we can navigate this dance gracefully, turning our emotional experiences into opportunities for profound self-discovery and growth.
Remember, the journey towards emotional well-being is ongoing. Each step, each dance with our emotions, brings us closer to understanding ourselves and living a more harmonious life.
Want to learn somatic-based tools and personalized active imagination sequences to work with your shadow (and stop shadow possession before it starts)? Book a consult call.
Rachael Besser is a body-based Shadow Work Practitioner and Emotional Integration Coach. She uses Somatic-based tools and practices to help individuals connect to and relaim the rejected aspects of Self. Her passion is teaching individuals and communities the art of bridging the gap between conscious and unconscious minds by (re)learning the language of the subconscious: emotions.