Surfing the Waves of Emotion

Last week, I had the opportunity to support a friend in shaping a two-day workshop on meditation and its benefits. One of the highlights was the presence of a Buddhist monk who generously shared his wisdom, guiding us through profound perspectives on life, presence, and inner stillness. Among the many insights exchanged, one theme lingered with me: emotions—how we experience them, how we navigate them, and how meditation can help us transform them.

Are Some Emotions Good and Others Bad?

At the beginning of the discussion, the monk spoke about the contrast between what we often label as "positive" and "negative" emotions. He encouraged us to cultivate the positive and avoid being consumed by the negative.

One of the participants raised an interesting question: Aren’t all emotions valid? Why categorize them as good or bad?

For a moment, the room was still. The monk took a breath and reflected before expanding on his thoughts. He agreed—all emotions, in their essence, are part of the human experience. None are inherently "bad." Yet, for those who are just beginning their meditation journey, this idea can be difficult to grasp. He explained that while we eventually learn to embrace and transmute every emotion, there is wisdom in approaching them with care, rather than diving in headfirst.

Emotions and the Art of Surfing

His words reminded me of surfing.

When you’re just starting out, you don’t immediately paddle into the deep waters to chase the towering waves. You begin at the shore, feeling the rhythm of the ocean in the white water, learning to balance, to trust, to flow. With time, as your confidence and skill grow, the very waves that once seemed overwhelming become exhilarating. You start to ride them, to dance with them.

Just as a seasoned surfer doesn’t fear the waves but moves with them, a seasoned meditator learns to embrace even the most intense emotions—anger, jealousy, fear—without getting lost in them.

Meeting Our Emotions with Awareness

For those at the beginning of their journey, however, confronting deeply rooted emotions head-on might feel destabilizing. This is why meditation encourages us to cultivate presence first—to observe without judgment, to meet our emotions with awareness rather than resistance. Over time, what once felt like an insurmountable storm transforms into a wave we can ride with grace.

Meditation is not about suppressing emotions but about understanding their nature, allowing them to flow through us without attachment. When we resist or suppress, we create samskara—imprints left within us, shaping our reactions and patterns. But when we allow emotions to rise, be felt, and dissolve, we free ourselves from carrying their weight.

Every Wave Belongs to the Ocean

So perhaps the key is not in avoiding the "negative" but in meeting it with the same curiosity and openness with which we welcome joy. Perhaps, in time, we learn that every wave—whether fierce or gentle—is part of the same ocean.

What are your thoughts? Let’s continue the conversation—join me on Instagram and share your reflections.

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