Emotional healing is a journey of returning to yourself to find the medicine already within, rather than seeking remedies from the outside. People like us—teachers or guides—play a supportive role: we listen, understand, and show the way. Beyond that, we inspire, create programs, and provide you with an optimal space to focus on healing. But we cannot enter your inner world. Only you can step into it and embark on the journey of self-healing.
All the medicine needed for healing already exists in your brain and heart. Psychological wounds often result from a lack of hormones like serotonin or oxytocin. These elements are present within you, but for some reason, they become blocked and fail to flow naturally. The process of healing is about activating those flows.
Similarly, within your mind, there may be mistaken beliefs or trapped emotions. To release them, you need certain “materials” to activate and unblock them, allowing them to flow freely. These materials include peace, relaxation, openness, acceptance, love for yourself, and love for others. But no one can give these to you. You must cultivate them yourself.
To achieve this, you need to follow essential principles:
- Distance yourself from noise: Step away from crowded cities, people who might hurt you, work pressures, and even loved ones who emit negative energy.
- Disconnect from technology: That small, charming device—your phone—can be a source of overwhelming stress.
- Find a space of freedom: Connect with nature, with a simple cup of tea, with the present moment, with others around you, and most importantly, with yourself.
- Practice listening: Understand your inner pain, identify your emotions as they arise, and learn to process them effectively.
The journey of healing is entirely yours to undertake. For those who have never truly loved themselves, never deeply connected with who they are, never taken the time to nurture their well-being, and lived without discipline, this can be a monumental challenge. Yet, this path is the key to unlocking true peace, freedom, and happiness.
Lesson by Venerable Thích Minh Niệm