Contrary to popular belief, Christianity isn't about bypassing emotions. It isn’t only Buddhism that encourages us to be aware of our emotions. Mature Christians do too.

Here is a biblical basis for the practice of noticing and naming our inner experiences:

Creation and Adam's Naming: God creates the world and animals and calls upon Adam to name each living creature, an act of noticing details and distinctions and identifying them. This establishes naming as a sacred process of attuning to reality.

Moses and the Burning Bush: Moses' encounter with God happens when he notices a bush burning but not being consumed. His awareness in that moment opens up divine revelation and a call on his life (Exodus 3:1-6).

The Psalms: Many psalms begin with David noticing his inward state and naming his emotions openly before God - grief, fear, doubt, joy are all language God welcomes (See Psalms 42-43 on grief for example).

Jesus Noticing: Jesus is described as being moved with compassion, noticing the crowds were "harassed and helpless" and responding (Matthew 9:36). He also directs followers to "notice" signs of spiritual decay and fruit in people's lives (Matthew 7:15-23).

Fruits of the Spirit: Naming and noticing emotions is key to cultivating the fruits of "love, joy, peace, patience" etc. which require emotional awareness (Galatians 5:22-23).

In essence, biblical figures model honestly naming emotions before God and letting awareness of inner states guide compassionate action. This supports the practice of noticing and naming. Between you and me, just as Moses was changed by noticing and naming what was happening to a bush that was burning, so we can be changed by noticing and naming our inner world.

Why Bother?

This can:

Boost work prospects - With greater awareness, we can better regulate our reactions rather than acting like an over-excited dog in a field of sheep. Noticing emotions provides helpful signals. So that you interact better at work which may well change your employment prospects from zero to hero.

Enrich personal connections - Paying attention to our capacity for relating helps us nurture connections. We can spot ourselves getting less relational before sabotaging relationships with the elegance of an intoxicated dancer at a wedding reception. So that you become someone others seek out and want to relate to.

Increase influence – Developing the skill to name emotions makes us more agile in responding to life's ups and downs with the finesse of a championship boxer. We bounce back from hardships and overcome challenges with greater ease than a hot knife slicing through room temperature butter. Your support system grows faster than my mate's admirable vegetable garden.

Realize your potential – This practice cultivates presence and gets us out of “autopilot”, avoiding drifting through life like a supermarket trolley with no one steering. You live more fully when you tune into the richness of the present moment, squeezing more meaning, beauty and joy out of each day than juice from a delicious orange. Overall well-being transforms dramatically as though following a feel-good Hollywood movie script.

Biblical transformation – Many biblical figures had their lives changed by moments of noticing God amidst everyday humdrum experiences. Self-awareness unleashes new potential with the suddenness of a sleeping dragon awakening to find fire erupting uncontrollably from its belly. You live out your higher purpose and calling, your life path aligning as astonishingly as a magician’s cleverly executed trick.

Why keep sleepwalking when you can wake up and really start living? Get in touch and explore how our unique approach can help you too.