Social Anxiety Treatment [continued]

Home | Previous Page

*The observing and reflecting step that we just covered is the most important part of the "social anxiety treatment" process. The majority of your times should be devoted to that step... As you continue practicing the exercise, remember to listen only to the pure energy and to then describe its physical traits. DO NOT make the mistake of trying to analyze energies or associate them with external events. This process is actually a form of active listening. You are reflecting to your inner energies your observations and understanding of them. Reflecting and describing requires clear observation and helps maintain mental focus. By focusing in this way, you limit the need for the thought process that converting energies into feeling words requires. This is the best way I have found to remain focused on and listening to energies.

STEP IV

Remember that the goal of this "social anxiety treatment" is to increase your tolerance for emotions, not to eliminate the unwanted ones. Ironically, you'll find that as you spend time listening to your energies and becoming comfortable with them, they inevitably transform into sensations that are no longer overwhelming. Usually this happens within hours after practicing the first technique. You may find that the energy that had perhaps been intensely uncomfortable before the practice session becomes easily tolerable. Sometimes an energy shift can even happen during the session itself. The energies may expand or contract, or change density and intensity. Or an energy you're spending time might even disappear completely. Just accept these transformations, and continue listening the new forms that emerge. So it's okay when it happens, but just remember that elimination of unpleasant energies should NOT be the goal of your interaction with it. Just the opposite. You are now learning how to be with your energies in a way that will eliminate the magnification of uncomfortable ones caused by avoidance. So do no attempt to rid yourself of emotions.

Please close your eyes again, and place your attention back onto the energy you were with.. If you've lose track of the energy, re-visualize the social anxiety causing situation and then transfer awareness to the feeling. Affirm your acceptance of that energy's presence by saying the following phrases to it:

• Energy, I let you be where you are
• Energy, I can now handle you
• Feeling, I am okay with and accept your presence
• Energy, I do not wish to suppress you
• Sensation, I wish only to be comfortable with you
• Energy, I am okay with you and let you be as you are
• Energy, I appreciate your presence within me
• Energy, thank you for contributing to my humanness

These statements or anything similar that you wish can conclude your first "social anxiety treatment".

NEXT PAGE: How to Overcome Social Anxiety [continued]