THE POWER OF EMOTION

by Michael Sky

a review by John Gilbert

Emotional energy normally flows through the softer tissues of the physical body -- the muscles, tendons, skin and fascia. When we do not want to feel an emotion we instinctively contract those areas of the body; we narrow and constrict the very medium through which the emotional energy would move...

This is how author Michael Sky describes the physical process of suppressing our emotions in his book The Power of Emotions (ISBN 187918192-4) published by Bear & Company, Rochester, VT. His premise is we generate emotional energy in response to the events in our lives. Then we either express that emotion or we suppress it. Society has taught us to be good little boys and not fight, not be afraid and not cry. Society has also taught us to be good little girls and not express anger, fear or sadness. We do these things by stuffing our emotions and that's called suppressing our emotions.

Unfortunately, suppressing our emotions leaves scars. Our physical body is lined with worry, concern and fear. Our bodies are stiff and sore from suppressed anger, We've become shallow and hardened by suppressed fear. We experience hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, sleeping disorders and myriad other problems by stuffing our emotions for long periods of time.

This is preventable and partially reversible.

The author shows us how to flow with the emotional energy and express love in our lives regardless of our personal circumstances at the moment. He shows us how to avoid stuffing future emotions and heal the relationships in our lives. We all have relationships that need mending. With Michael's help we can start mending those relationships now. He gives us the guidelines and tools to get started right away.

The last chapter of his book is worth the price of admission alone. It's dedicated to Living Creatively. he shows us how to make choices, how to choose to flow with the emotional energy and allow our lives to unfold as they will. Finally, he gives us some suggestions for continuing practices.

I like this book. I like the message and I like the exercises. Michael Sky writes with wisdom and compassion. He teaches wonderful skills for survival in a world that demands we suppress our emotions to our own detriment. Then he teaches us how to avoid this trap and life a happy and fulfilled life by expressing our emotions in an acceptable and loving way.

This book is available in paperback for $12.95 from your local bookseller or directly from the publisher.

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