Spiritual blocks: Soul

Do you feel stuck and “not getting any further”, even though you practice regularly and diligently (eg energy work, meditation, awareness, mindfulness, lineups, satsang etc). Every serious and consistent spiritual practice brings “tangible” results in such a way that we become freer, more open, loving, peaceful etc in everyday life. If these results fail, either the practice is not consistent / regular enough or there is a blockage.

The blockages can be on different levels. Today I would like to talk about the two most important blockages on the soul level that can hinder spiritual progress.

Since the term “SOUL” can be understood in many different ways, I would like to explain what I mean by soul: the emotional body, our feelings and emotions. When feelings flow freely, we feel alive and connected. For many people there seems to be a fear of being fully alive, of feeling deeply, of being “flexible” in their emotional life…. to be moved by life itself….. to dance ones life…

1. TRAUMATA

Traumatic experiences have far-reaching consequences and represent a clear blockade. For their own protection, parts of the soul are split off in traumatic moments, since the situation cannot be processed “normally”. This protection mechanism is very important and can save lives. In later life, however, one or more split soul parts are missing and the consciousness “hangs firmly” in the traumatic situation. We don’t feel whole or feel incomplete, we also lack memories, we lack liveliness, there is an area that feels like in the dark, like in the fog, that feels like a hole or an emptiness, or there are flashbacks, where scenes and rags of memory come to mind again and again, but cannot be processed.

In the course of our spiritual development, past traumas that want to be redeemed, show up, so that we can go a step further and our consciousness becomes more free. However, the traumas often show themselves indirectly.

The following symptoms may indicate that unprocessed trauma is present:

• The feeling of standing in front of an insurmountable wall or being in the fog or in the dark
• Memory gaps
• The feeling of being beside oneself, being outside oneself (dissociate)
• A sense of emptiness
• Intense feelings such as fear, anger, shame, guilt, etc that are unmanageable
• Insomnia
• Concentration disorders
• Fear coupled with great unrest

If you suspect or know that you are suffering from an unprocessed trauma, please get support and find a coherent and competent therapeutic companion! That doesn’t mean you have to be in therapy for years. There are experienced therapists who specialize in trauma healing. It is best to find someone who works holistically and involves body, soul and spirit.

2. Supressing emotions

Many of us learned at an early age to suppress unpleasant feelings such as pain, sadness, anger, shame, guilt, helplessness, fear, etc. and to hide from ourselves and others. Now, however, it is time to consciously change this mechanism and allow oneself to feel the feelings and let them go. Suppressed feelings represent blockades, let us stagnate, feel inanimate and turn in circles. The vital force then tries to flow through us and reaches its limits, which usually comes along with the fact that increasing pressure is triggered by the accumulation of vital energy. Quite often we get sick rather than just letting go and feeling. One reason why we don’t allow feelings is the belief that they would carry us along like a wave and drown us. This is not the case, of course, unless an unprocessed trauma is involved as described under point 1. Many people suppress feelings also by means of stimulants and drugs. In this case, healing is more complex and often requires different methods on body, soul and mind level and often also therapeutic support.

But when we are free of addiction and trauma, we experience that the more we allow feelings to be there, the faster they dissolve themselves, like the wave in the sea that comes and goes. Depending on how long and how effectively you have suppressed feelings so far, it can take a while for “your full emotional memory” to slowly empty. Incidentally, you don’t necessarily need to know where the feeling comes from; it’s just another strategy from our dominant mind that wants to delay the feeling further. If it is important to know where the feeling comes from, then you will get this information.

How to allow yourself to feel your supressed emotions:

1. always begins with a clear intention. If you have discovered that you (often) suppress feelings, then forcefully grasp the clear intention:”From now on I am ready to allow feelings!” If it’s consistent, you can say:”Even if I don’t know how. I don’t need to know. My willingness is sufficient, I am open.”

2. locate the feeling in the body: do you feel it in your stomach, heart area, throat etc? Where is it located? Then keep your attention in this area and allow the feeling to spread out completely. Allow yourself to feel it, to perceive it. Allow this feeling to be there and just be present with it.

3. Assuming it’s sadness. Speak inwardly first: “I’m sad” and feel until the feeling is completely present. Then: “I feel sad” and feel it. Then: “Sadness is there” and feel that too. Then: “There’s awareness of sadness there” feel that, too. Then “Sadness is entirely welcome.” And feel that too.

What can help to feel something again when we have been suppressing for a long time?

• Listen to music that pleases you and moves you
• Sing
• Dance
• Watch movies on the topic (eg a sad movie when it comes to grief)
• Play with children
• Stroke a pet
• Spend time alone in nature
• Walk barefoot
• Write down what moves and oppresses you
• Have clarifying conversations, say what bothers you, apologize, apologies, etc

When traumas heal and/or we learn to allow feelings to return, liveliness comes back because the energy can flow freely. Our consciousness detaches itself from topics where it was bound and becomes free. The freer our consciousness is, the easier we can perceive and dwell in the I AM Presence. We feel lighter, more carefree and more centered in natural peace and quiet. In this way we can also be more loving, understanding and less judgmental towards our fellow human beings. Thus we can embody the divine qualities of light, love, peace and deep acceptance. Our whole being is moved more and more by the divine spirit, rather than by our judgments and defense mechanisms.

Disclaimer: everything described here corresponds to my personal experience and cannot replace any medical diagnosis or therapy! Please contact the doctor, alternative practitioner or psychotherapist of your choice with all questions and inform yourself on the Internet or by means of technical literature. Always take personal responsibility for your physical and mental health! Follow my tips at your own risk.