Can you imagine a life where nothing – no event, no word, no action – could control your emotions? Imagine being the sole architect of your inner world, unshakable in the face of external chaos. This, is the ultimate freedom, and the path to it lies in understanding and mastering your triggers.
“Nothing in the outer world makes you feel any way. You decide what you want to feel, and then use other people and events as permission slips to execute your feeling agenda.” – Alan Cohen
Your triggers are all inside of you. Nothing and no-one in the world can trigger you unless you already have that trigger within you. It’s the responsibility of each of us to work with and work through our triggers, it’s not the responsibility of the world to be less triggering – Just think how free you’ll be when nothing around you can trigger you anymore.
“When faced with demanding situations, can you keep your heart as light as a feather? Can you laugh your way through challenges and maintain an attitude freer than fear? When confronted with upsets and the poisonous projections of others, can you remember that all is well? Do you know that you are a spiritual being, not subject to the whims and caprices of earthly tides?” – Alan Cohen
“Acts that proceed from your calm center are always more effective than acts that proceed from fear, guilt, or anger.” – Alan Cohen
Cultivating inner peace in the face of adversity is the hallmark of a truly empowered individual. When we react from a place of calm, clear-headedness, our actions become far more effective.
This journey towards becoming “untriggerable”, begins with self-awareness. Mindfulness practices like today’s meditation “come to your senses”, are valuable tools for developing this inner sanctuary.
In the same way that we are able to sit and calmly observe the experience that each of our outer senses provide us, we are also able to develop the ability to calmly be the witness to our inner senses. By observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we begin to understand their triggers and ultimately, rewrite our “feeling agenda” as Alan Cohen calls it.
Here are a few thoughts to ignite your self-reflection:
- What story am I telling myself in this situation? Challenge the narratives that fuel your triggers.
- What emotions am I feeling, and where are they coming from? Trace your emotional responses back to their source. Can you remember the first time something made you feel this way?
- Can I choose a different response? Empower yourself to react consciously, rather than impulsively.
By embarking on this inner exploration and embracing these reflections, you’ll take a significant step towards becoming untriggerable. This doesn’t mean becoming emotionless; it means becoming the witness to your emotions, it means no longer being a slave to your emotions. It means living a life of freedom, where external circumstances no longer dictate your internal experience.
Embrace the baby steps of this journey. Being completely untriggerable might be far off in the distant future and the good news is, we don’t need to reach that far. For now, become friendly towards your triggers. Decide to be really kind to this human being who is sometimes way too reactive.
Let your triggers become a reminder to stop and breathe and witness all the thoughts and emotions bubbling through your brain and body. Experiencing a trigger is not a failure. Your empowerment comes from practicing how to not let the trigger force the action you take. If you can find your calm centre before deciding how to act, you chip away at the power of your triggers and step closer to a life of unparalleled freedom.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Come to your senses.