Level 5: Disrupt

The very process of meditation teaches us that we’re not stuck indefinitely with habitual thought patterns and emotions. If we are able to recognize thoughts as they arise, we can disrupt the pattern and let go of them. This process is made possible by mindfulness and awareness.

Meditation teaches us to release negative emotions and let go of negative thinking. We learn that thoughts and emotions are simply a movement of energy and this energy can and does change. By gaining perspective, we see that we are not our negative thoughts, nor are they always true.

We gain perspective in meditation. As we observe activity in the mind, we see that we are not our thoughts or emotions, and that they are always changing. We sense there is more space between our sense of self and the movement of energy in our mind. This wider perspective transforms our relationship to thoughts and emotions.

With meditation we create space in our minds which changes our perception. From this new point of view, we experience our emotions differently. Something as simple as pausing before reacting is a sign of emotional wisdom. When wisdom is infused into the mindstream, we no longer compulsively react to thoughts and emotions. Thus sparing ourselves and others from much harm.