As you surely noticed during the election here in the US, emotional polarization was present in proportions way beyond the usual. And even though the election is over, this emotional tension between political factions has not yet abated. Emotions in the rest of the world seem to be at an all time high as well. 
This is because the planet and human consciousness itself is undergoing a tremendous shift. And for us humans, change is very disorienting, and causes many to retreat into fear and the familiar, set beliefs of the past. At the same time others greet change with enthusiasm and reach out to the future regardless of the uncertainty change brings. The great tension between these two ways of dealing with change seems to be growing every day as fear of the unknown (change) drives these positions further and further from one another.
< —— Fear of change vs. love or attraction to change —— >
As the holidays approach and we are called upon to engage in social interactions with extended family and friends, the chances of finding ourselves in the midst of polarized emotional energy increases. When those around us engage in irrational behavior, espouse positions shadowed in underlying hatred, greed or intolerance, and/or react negatively to any positive statement, it is hard to stay centered and not be drawn into the emotional fray.
When this happens, what can we do?
Emotions are simply energy in motion – e-motion. This motion goes only in two directions, toward objects or ideas that attract us (love) and away from objects or ideas that repulse us (fear).
Emotions are necessary for life on Earth where we are vulnerable to physical harm. Our emotions react instantly to tell us what may harm us or what may be beneficial. Unfortunately, much of that reaction today often has more to do with belief systems than actual harm or benefit.
Polarization happens when people over-identify with their emotions and take unyielding positions. Thus emotions in themselves often seem absolute with no middle ground. When we over-identify with one or the other of these emotional poles we leave our rational and spiritual energy behind and are vulnerable to irrational behavior, emotional volatility and inflexible belief systems.
Extreme emotional polarization invites the opposite reaction, so the expression of one extreme position naturally invites an opposite emotional response.
While emotions are part of our physical makeup and designed to help keep us safe in the physical world, they are not a part of our essential or soul self that exists in many dimensions beside the physical. Duality at the soul level is merely a helpful conceptual idea, never an absolute. In other words, in the energetic world, black and white can both easily turn into grey, as well as into each other!
From a soul perspective emotional duality is simply a conceptual tool to help keep us safe. When we detach from our emotions and view them as tools and not part of our real selves, we can better see the whole situation for what it really is. We can see the positive that hides within the negative, as well as the negative that hides within the positive, and also receive insights into how the whole works together for the benefit of all.
So when you find yourself in the middle of emotional mayhem, just remember your ABC’s.
“A” is for awareness. The first step is becoming aware that you are being drawn into an emotionally charged situation. As you feel yourself being either emotionally attracted or repulsed to a position or opinion (or person or thing), become aware of that emotional movement and try to detach yourself from it.
You can facilitate this process by “B”, remembering to breath your emotional energy back to you. Just imagine that emotional energy coming back to you with your breath. Remember “Energy goes where attention flows”. Imagination (attention) is your tool for moving and managing your own energy field.
Then comes “C”, and in this case, “C’ stands for “cloud”, a metaphorical reminder to lift your awareness out of the physical plane. From this higher perspective try to observe the situation as a disinterested passer-by, knowing that the emotional pull you feel is a natural, normal part of being human, but not one that you necessarily have to honor as a souled being. From this position you can radiate compassion for those caught in the emotional swirl and also gain insight into why they might feel so passionately about their position.
When dealing with political issues, for example, you might have insights into how the right acts as a necessary anchor to those on the left who are ready to go off into largely untested waters. By having to deal with the “anchor” on the right, the left is forced to hone its ideas and bring them down to a more practical level.
Conversely, the left acts as a visionary for the right, presenting new solutions to problems that the right admits exist, but for which it has only traditional solutions. Together they do manage to move awkwardly forward. Although this forward movement seems painful and slow to many, it is a pace that best serves all people and helps avoid many mistakes.
So the next time you feel drawn into emotional mayhem, remember your ABC’s, and be amazed at the insights you gain.
For more on energy and the energy realm, see my book, , It’s All About Energy: Adventures in Expanded Reality, available on Amazon, at local bookstores and on my website, www.transformationalexpansion.com