Meta feelings are essentially your emotional response to your own emotions. This includes your thoughts, reactions, and attitudes towards what you feel.
Origins of Meta-Emotion
The concept of Meta-Emotion emerged in the 1990s, thanks to researchers Gottman, Katz, and Hooven. It initially described the way parents communicate with their children about emotions. The approach a parent takes can significantly influence a child’s emotional development. Parents who embrace and encourage discussing emotions contribute to positive emotional coaching. Conversely, parents who dismiss, shame, or discourage emotional expression teach their children to internalize negative reactions towards emotions.
These parental responses shape how individuals perceive their emotions and those around them. In this context, ‘feelings’ and ’emotions’ are used synonymously.
Classifying Meta-Emotion
Research identifies four distinct types of meta-emotions:
- Negative-Negative: For example, feeling embarrassed about being sad.
- Negative-Positive: For example, feeling guilty for feeling joy.
- Positive-Positive: Feeling hopeful about feeling relief.
- Positive-Negative: Feeling pleased about being angry.
Studies suggest that negative-negative meta-emotions are most prevalent, indicating a common discomfort with one’s negative emotions.
Impact on Healing
The concept of meta-feelings is crucial. Understanding and addressing meta-feelings can unlock significant progress. Often, individuals find that by addressing their meta-feelings, they can more easily navigate and resolve the underlying primary emotions. This approach can lead to breakthroughs, allowing for a deeper emotional release and healing.
If you can notice the META emotion and see passed it to the ACTUAL emotion, you will be more effective in Lower Cauldron healing.
Meta feelings – Try this…
🌟 Connect with your Guides/Spiritual Team. Set sacred space if this feels right although it’s not necessary.
🌟 Notice your META emotion.
🌟 Breathe gently or deeply (whatever feels right for you) and draw your attention to the primary emotion. You might not be able to name or feel it – that’s OK, do it anyway.
🌟 Hold the intention to draw your attention to the primary emotion for around 90 seconds. Then release and, if you enjoy journaling, take some notes on the experience.
Did this help you? Let’s chat about what was difficult or if you need more pointers 👇