Triggers

Intense Emotional Catalyst

There are areas in our lives that we are good at and others that we have mastered. But there will also be some areas that we find challenging. They might even push our stress buttons and knock us off-center. Whenever a painful thought or experience is unhealed, it can create an imbalance. This would will be stored in the shadow and become a body memory. When a similar vibration, situation or experience arises, the wound is poked and can trigger a reaction. We might feel as if our buttons have been pushed. The situation may feel wrong because it hurts, but the pain is telling you something remains unhealed. When we have big buttons out there to be pushed, it’s easier for them to be pushed. You may sometimes find yourself thinking that someone knew just the words or behaviors that would upset you, so it is their fault that you reacted as you did. Even when someone deliberately pushes buttons, our response is our responsibility. When you feel your reaction may be bigger than a current situation, it may be linked to stored pain. Take a moment and put some space between you and the emotion for a more empowered response. Later, reflect on the words, behaviors and feelings to discover the wounding and begin the healing process.

Shadow Mastery Class: Pushing Buttons is Fun

Meditation

Place your hand on the card. Gently close your eyes. Sense your body and concentrate on your breathing. Follow your breath inward. Hold for five seconds and relax. Breathe out and release all tension. Focus on the middle of your chest.

In front of you, a golden staircase descends into the earth. Walk down the ten healing steps to a magical, amethyst crystal cave. Each step moves you into a calm and centered inner space so you can observe triggers without reacting. Step into the amethyst cave and greet your shadow. In front of you is a large round, blue and purple door. In the middle of the door is a triangle that says, “Push Me.” You tentatively push the button, and the door swings open.

As you step into this room, you are confronted by buttons of all colors and sizes covering the walls. Out of nowhere, a piece of paper whooshes into the room and lands in your hands. You open the paper and read:

When others trigger or push your buttons, you react because they have touched a wound. A hurt or sensitivity has been revealed. Your emotional response can lead you to a pain you have yet to heal. An extreme reaction may be an attempt to protect you from further pain. However, unless you become more open to engaging with and understanding the source of your reaction, the imbalance will remain, and the wound will become bigger and cause more pain each time someone touches (or comes close to) the subject. In this space, you can push as many buttons as you like. As you do so, you will feel a familiar sensation, followed by insight into the wounding you have touched upon. You can choose to press one, none, or many buttons. It is up to you.

And poof! The paper whooshes up and disappears. Decide whether to accept this mission to discover more of yourself. Should you choose not to go ahead, thank the room for the opportunity and know you can return at any time. If you feel prepared to do so, choose a button and start pressing!

When you press a button, the sensations that arise are so real, and the messages that accompany them activate insightful moments of “aha!” This is a thrilling, playful and safe way to engage with reactions you may otherwise find uncomfortable or confronting. The buttons may prompt excitement, anger, hurt, inspiration, fear, annoyance, frustration or love. Have fun observing all the ways you react. You are awakening to a broader version of yourself. The more you work and heal your tender spots, the more open you are to the higher dimensions of soul information. Whether you have chosen to push any buttons or not, stay in the room for as long as you like-at least thirty seconds.

When you are ready, step out of your button room into the amethyst cave. Skip up to the golden staircase. As you ascend, feel empowered and quietly confident that you can recognize when something has touched on a wound and can respond with care and insight. The next time this happens, you will be alert to the lesson and opportunity for self-understanding and growth. Thank your shadow for making you aware of all you are yet to love about yourself. At the top of the stairs, take two deep breaths and open your eyes to wonderment.

Inspired Insights, Reflections and Actions

Consider the ways you can respond to a wound being activated. Contemplate whether the following may be helpful strategies.

*Reflect on whether there is any benefit to feeling the pain of an activated trigger. It may draw your awareness to something or motivate you to make a change.

*Leave the situation. I find taking a toilet break can help. It stops the escalation of the hurt, and you can bring yourself back to a centered, calm mind.

*Acknowledge your emotions without acting on them. Notice your feelings and examine them at an appropriate time.

Journal Work

Write or draw a list of situations, words or behaviors that activate an extreme emotional response for you. Next to each item, write or draw a strategy you can apply to help you find balance. The goal is not to eliminate but to grow awareness of your triggers so you can calm and redirect your reactions, feelings and emotions.