Free Mini Class
a gift to you from http://www.TheHighestGood.net
Understanding Feelings of Emptiness
for what they truly are
By Reverend Corinne S. Ramage
Copyright 2006
The depth of the emptiness will determine
the depth of the overindulgence.
Feelings of emptiness trigger overindulgent actions.
Overindulgence impacts us
physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Introduction
We simply must fill ourselves when we feel empty.
We can not bear to feel hungry whether that hunger manifests
in our physical, emotional, mental or spiritual bodies.
When we are empty physically, feelings of emptiness trigger overindulgent actions which usually manifest in overeating.
If we feel emotionally empty, we feel depressed or angry and will search out anything that reduces our distress. This can be extreme situations that create drama in our lives that distract us or any addictive behavior that masks our pain.
Being mentally empty leaves us feeling ‘less than,’ unaccomplished or incapable of resolving our dilemmas. When this happens we do whatever we can to abate this feeling. Depending on our predisposition, we may deny the reality of the situation, become very dependent on others to resolve our problems or make rash inappropriate decisions.
When we feel spiritually empty, we feel abandoned and very alone. We will reach for something to make us feel full. This can be newly adopted beliefs or the dictates of a spiritual leader who we feel fills this void.
Guilt and Shame
When we overindulge in the attempt to fill ourselves, we find the situation complicated by the burgeoning feelings of guilt and shame. We will ride these emotions down into desperation unless we can stay present in the Now.
Why is it so important to stay in the Now? Because feeling guilt and shame are products of past events or choices and focusing on the Now frees us from the shackles of these repressive feelings which, in turn, allows us to heal ourselves.
Let’s look at this in more detail…There is nothing more devastating than being found out for our overindulgence. Greed and entitlement issues are in full view. Most of us will retreat in guilt and shame, and begin a concerted effort to hide our overindulgent behaviors because the feelings of emptiness are now punctuated by our shame. As a result, our overindulgences will escalate. The spiral downward into further dysfunction or denial will be evidenced by voraciously filling itself.
Living in the Present
Our lives are manifestations of the past if we live through the past. Most of us think that who we are represents past choices. This thought leaves us powerless to change ourselves, but if we put ourselves fully in the present or the Now, we redefine our relationship to ourselves and change our relationship to What Is. We are then no longer victim to our past choices. We are fully in charge of our lives in the Now.
We are each vibrant, brilliant and perfect for our life’s journey at the essence level of who we are. This is always true but gets muddied with the shame and guilt that overshadows us from past choices.
Healing will involve letting go of the feelings associated with the past
and choosing wisely in the present.
Change can only be affected in the present moment.
Here is something to think about…Holding onto thoughts and emotions that are “heavy” actually show up in the physical on the scale in actual pounds.
Right Thinking
One way to begin to heal the strangling and derailing emotions of guilt and shame is to look at how we think.
Our thinking can cause us as much harm as our actions. We know this through physiological studies and through the newly published scientific research of Bruce Lipton, PhD in his book called “The Biology of Belief.” He has proven in the lab that our cells respond to every word we say and every intention we have. Therefore ‘right thinking’ is an imperative to healing feelings of emptiness.
Right Thinking is defined as those thoughts that support the movement towards well-being.
The physical body is fully of the Earth plane. It is the physical manifestation of what we think and emote. Thinking and emoting exist in the physical world, but they are not specific to the physical world. Our thoughts and emotions are non-local meaning that they can be felt beyond us alone. Others can sense our thoughts and feel our emotions without physical contact. Our physicalness, though, is ours exclusively. No one feels our physicality unless we physically touch them or they touch us.
How we think directly impacts on how we feel; and, how we feel affects how we think. It is possible, but much more difficult for most of us, to change how we feel than it is to change how we think. With Right Thinking, we can change everything. It is the gateway to manifest change in the physical.
The physical body is the part of us bound by linear time. We have, though, already in this moment mastered what we are striving for. Our spirit or essence is not bound by linear time – and is already fully everything we desire.
Here are some specific ideas that support the practice of Right Thinking:
• Right Thinking can be supported by a dedication to positive affirmations – as long as we believe them all the way down to our cells. Personal Declarations, crafted for the individual, must be reasonable or ring true to that individual to be affective.
• Right Thinking can be supported by discipline – as long as our commitments are clear and reasonable.
• Right Thinking must be associated with an attitude of patience – because the physical body will take time to reflect a change in thinking.
The effectiveness of Right Thinking depends on the level of dedication, discipline and patience in the individual.
Let’s look at overweight issues specifically.
In the past, weight was a sign of wealth. The more overweight and indulgent we were, the wealthier we were.
Today we have very different social views levied on those of us carrying extra weight, one that judges harshly and ostracizes us.
The Breakdown on Physical Overindulgence
Physically, being overweight is manifest overindulgence.
Emotionally, the greed played out in overindulgence creates shame, guilt, depression and/or anger.
Mentally, it creates defiance and self-punishing thoughts.
Spiritually, weight is a sign that we have taken more than our share or more than we need to survive, and we feel out of balance with What Is.
Today, weight is directly associated with popular opinion. There is no absolute. Public opinion and peer pressure create the standards that determine what is called “acceptable weight.” The medical community has also promoted a much thinner, healthier version of the human body. (Fifty years ago an acceptable and recommended weight for women was about fifteen pounds heavier than it is today.)
What we have found out is that a thinner body indicates physical health. Of concern are the emotional, mental and spiritual issues most often still seriously misaligned which create varying levels of suffering depending on the individual’s disposition.
We must find ways to eat without guilt. Guilt is a heavy, restricting emotion. Mindfulness will help. Intend to eat what you need nutritionally not emotionally.
Work on the “more is better” theme which shouts loudly in many overweight people’s energy systems. Many feel they deserve more, then they begin to feel that they are eating more than their fair share – and they feel guilty. Studies show that most people do know how to eat well. Guilt is activated because they don’t. Try to eat guilt-free by eating nutritionally and let go of punishing self-talk.
Using Personal Declarations
The following declarations can assist in the process of growing dedication, discipline and patience. They were created specifically for managing overindulgent issues.
Most of us know what to eat. We are absolutely aware of when we overindulge and eat too much. We need to begin to redirect our thoughts and start Right Thinking.
Recite the following declarations as needed. A suggestion would be to recite them once in the morning upon rising and once at night before retiring. You could also print out the declarations and read them before each meal to maintain focus on your commitment to Right Thinking.
Declarations to Heal Emptiness and Overindulgence
I dedicate myself to living vibrantly,
with my impulses reasonable,
and my choices made in Harmony with What Is.
I stay in sync with the best that can be.
I recognize with clarity
that which is mine to borrow,
that which is mine to own,
and that which is mine to ingest.
I have enough Wisdom,
in this moment,
to live a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.
I do all of this to the best of my ability.
Further Explanation
This topic is a very important and broad reaching. It manifests in our lives in many ways.
It is actually harder to derail your life than it is to ‘right’ it. Getting it ‘wrong’ takes hard work that vies with the natural healing process. Your body strives endlessly to heal The Cut whether healing is needed on the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual levels of your Being.
(A diagnosed chemical imbalance creating dysfunction must be managed with prescription medication. I absolutely believe in the power and necessity of allopathic/traditional medications. Right Thinking can still assist in the healing of that dysfunction.)
The process of healing is made more difficult depending on the individual’s level of dedication to suffering and self-punishment. Right Thinking, though, can always assist in the healing.
Do your best to rally your dedication, discipline and patience
as you begin Right Thinking.
It is within you to do so.
You are naturally capable of caring for yourself.
You may just need support at some times.
An Important Final Point about Feelings of Emptiness
Be kind to yourself. You are healing wounds that run deep. Even if you were to place a bandage on sutures, it would take time for the wound to actually heal. This holds true for emotional, mental and spiritual healing also. Begin your healing journey today. Ask for support if you need it. Know you are innately worthy of well-being.
See yourself filling up with Joy.
Breathe in the best of your life,
and let it flow through your veins.
…………………………………………………………………………..
Thank you for participating in this free mini course.
May you feel enriched by the material!
If you found this course has offered you some interesting information about improving your state-of-being, please further explore the other programs at http://www.TheHighestGood.net.
You may want to sign up for the Free Newsletter and receive weekly inspiring articles and announcements for future classes.
All of the programs are based on the principles of Spiritual Healthcare. For more information about the acclaimed, in depth, extensive on-line program called
Thank you again for joining me in this exploration of feelings of emptiness.
