Following Patrick’s directions, on the treadmill as usual, I started complaining that I’ve never been able to recall an emotion or vividly relive a scene in a way that brings that feeling back. Implying that I would never be able to practice Step 6. Giving up on it (Step 6), I turned my attention to my body’s sensations, staying open to whatever might arise. By chance, a familiar, underlying anxiety surfaced. As soon as I dove into it, childhood scenes came to mind, moments of violence and humiliation from a pivotal period of my life, emotions that left a lasting imprint on my nervous system.

The next time I practiced, nothing seemed to happen, possibly because I was expecting the previous experience to reproduce itself.

PRACTICE -The Body’s Honesty. The next time you catch yourself feeling vague affective discomfort nudging at the edge of your consciousness, resist the urge to analyze, label, or follow the mental origin story (such as “I must be in a bad mood”). Instead, pay attention to your torso, your heart, your belly, your shoulders. What is happening with your breathing? In your face muscles? Is the feeling heavy or light? Tense or loose? What is its texture? Inhale breath into the feeling. Exhale from the feeling. Now, with respect, openness, and curiosity, ask your body, “What do you need to show me?” and “What are you trying to tell me?” Find your own words. When you ask the question, be kind and nonjudgmental. Be present and without an agenda. Your body will not release its truths if you have an agenda. You may need to sit and wait for some time. Stay with the feeling in your body and remain connected to your breath.

Indeed @Lisa Silva . Life is the ultimate guru. Or should say "the multiple lifes"? But it would be misinterpreted as a timely sequential process.