The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You

ISBN-13: 9781649630421

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated

Publication Date: 06-27-2023

Pages: 448

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

Karla McLaren, M.Ed., is an award-winning author, social science researcher, and empathy innovator. She is CEO of Emotion Dynamics Inc., developer of Dynamic Emotional Integration®, and creator of the Empathy Academy. Karla is the author of Embracing Anxiety, The Dynamic Emotional Integration Workbook, The Art of Empathy, The Power of Emotions at Work, and the multimedia online course Emotional Flow: Becoming Fluent in the Language of Emotions. Learn more at karlamclaren.com.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Part I Restoring Your Native Language

1 Introduction 3

Creating a Conscious Life

2 My Empathic Journey 9

The Difficult Beginnings of Empathy

3 Troubled Waters 25

How We Got So Confused

4 It Takes A Village 39

Surrounding Your Emotions with Support

5 Reviving Your Essential Nature 57

Making Room for Your Central Self

6 Avoidance, Addiction, and Awakening 77

Understanding the Need for Distractions

7 Unintentional Shamans 91

The Role of Trauma in Soul-Making and Culture-Building

8 The Role of Emotions in The Resolution of Trauma 113

Water Will Carry You Home

9 The Steadfast Promise 123

Why Love Is Not an Emotion

10 Building Your Raft 125

The Five Empathic Skills

Part II Embracing Your Emotions

11 Wading Into The Water 161

Awakening All of Your Emotions

12 Anger: Protection and Restoration 167

Includes Rage, Fury, and the Healing of Trauma

13 Apathy And Boredom: The Mask for Anger 191

14 Guilt And Shame: Restoring Integrity 197

15 Hatred: The Profound Mirror 215

Includes Resentment, Contempt, Disgust, and Shadow Work

16 Fear: Intuition and Action 235

Includes Anxiety, Worry, and the Healing of Trauma

17 Confusion: The Mask for Fear 257

18 Jealousy And Envy: Relational Radar 263

Includes Greed

19 Panic and Terror: Frozen Fire 281

Includes Healing from Trauma

20 Sadness: Release and Rejuvenation 295

Includes Despair and Despondency

21 Grief: The Deep River of the Soul 311

22 Depression: Ingenious Stagnation 327

Focusing on Situational Depression

23 Suicidal Urges: The Darkness Before Dawn 345

24 Happiness: Amusement and Anticipation 359

25 Contentment: Appreciation and Recognition 365

26 Joy: Affinity and Communion 369

Includes Exhilaration and Honoring Happiness in Others

27 Stress And Resistance 377

Understanding Emotional Physics

28 Emotions Are Your Native Language 387

The Fine Art of a Life Well Lived

Acknowledgments 393

Notes 395

Further Resources 399

Index 405

About The Author 415