Tears of Joy: Crying Yourself Well

​When was the last time you cried? Have you ever cried in public? When you feel the urge to cry, do you allow yourself the release or do you stuff your feelings?
 
For almost five years I have been doing a daily verbal gratitude practice. During my practice as I express what I am thankful for, I also ask for help where it is needed for myself, my family, friends, the planet, situations around the world and more. I typically do this practice in the privacy of my home, sitting at my meditation alter. On many days, as I speak my thank-you's, emotion wells up from deep within and tears and sobbing flow forth with wild abandon. These are not tears of sadness, but tears of emotional release accompanied by a deep sense of relief and joy. As a highly sensitive empath, tears offer me a way to let go of the energies, feelings and thoughts I pick up each day when my own energy boundaries are down or in a weakened place. Moving the fluid of the tears out of my body is a powerful cleansing; a detoxifying of what is not mine to hold. I love this practice and so value the resulting sense of balance, wholeness, happiness and the residing presence of deep connection with something much greater than myself.

Moving the fluid of the tears out of my body is a powerful cleansing; a detoxifying of what is not mine to hold. I love this practice and so value the resulting sense of balance, wholeness, happiness and the residing presence of deep connection with something much greater than myself.

This morning, I was near Lithia Park and decided to take a walk between rain showers. As I walked below the upper duck pond, I came to a curvy, moss-covered oak tree and decided to do my qigong practice under the tree's tangled branches. Once highly energized by my practice, I walked back up the trail along the rushing creek, and noticed as my daily gratitude began to pour from my lips. I felt the pulse of the forest; its root systems; heard the birds and rushing waters; saw the deep, dark mossy green and brown hues of the plants and trees and smelled the damp mustiness of the wet earth mixed with decomposing bark mulch. Gratitude continued to flow, and I asked for help where needed. Tears ran down my face and I felt their urgency as they washed away what needed to flush out of my system. I stepped onto an isolated bridge where two branches of the creek crossed with great roaring power. I cried full-on and let my tears blend with the creek. After a few minutes, my tears stopped and more gratitude poured from my lips. I soon felt full and whole in my prayer and letting go and headed down the trail.
 
When I cry, my eyes get puffy and my nose turns red like Rudolph's. I walked down the trail feeling quite uplifted and knew my face was still red and puffy. I usually make a point to say hello as I pass other's, especially when I am walking solo and not distracted by conversation with a friend. As I passed some walkers, I noticed they instantly looked down or away when they saw my red face. I'm guessing they either felt a need to give me respectful privacy or felt uncomfortable seeing a stranger who had obviously been crying. This happened with about 6 people I passed, but one elderly couple immediately made a point to smile, look me in the eyes and say hello. It was a lovely connection.

According to an article in The Medical Daily from May 2015, crying releases toxins, kills bacteria, improves vision and mood, relieves stress and boosts communication. Our society does not encourage this form of expression. Often those who cry are considered weak, depressed or unstable. In reality, healthy tears can help keep us strong, happy and balanced.

According to an article in The Medical Daily from May 2015, crying releases toxins, kills bacteria, improves vision and mood, relieves stress and boosts communication. Our society does not encourage this form of expression. Often those who cry are considered weak, depressed or unstable. In reality, healthy tears can help keep us strong, happy and balanced.
     
I invite you to make friends with your feelings; shedding your tears when called to do so, and holding loving space for others who have discovered this powerful modality for physical and mental health.
 
Many Blessings, Sari