"We must become acquainted with our emotional household: we must see our feelings as they actually are, not as we assume they are. This breaks their hypnotic and damaging hold on us"

Vernon Howard's quote highlights the significance of cultivating self-awareness and psychological intelligence by encouraging us to carefully examine and understand our feelings. The metaphor of an "psychological home" suggests that our feelings and feelings, just like the different rooms in a home, need to be checked out and comprehended. Simply as you would not neglect particular parts of your home, you should not overlook or misinterpret your emotions.

By advising us to see our sensations "as they in fact are", Howard indicate the common human propensity to misinterpret or make assumptions about our emotions, typically causing misconceptions. These presumptions can misshape our understanding of ourselves and others, producing obstacles in our relationships and individual growth. For example, we might error fear for anger, or let pride prevent us from acknowledging vulnerability. This lack of clarity keeps us in a type of emotional confusion, which Howard describes as hypnotic-- it can trance us into cycles of reaction without reflection.

Breaking this "hypnotic and damaging hold" includes actively confronting and questioning our emotional reactions instead of passively accepting them or acting impulsively. It's about moving from emotional reactivity to emotional responsiveness. This process needs effort and deliberate reflection, as through mindfulness practices, journaling, or treatment, where we can unpack and reassess enduring emotional patterns.

The quote indicates that by becoming more totally acquainted with our emotional states, we gain the power to transcend negative or restricting feelings. This newfound awareness permits us to resolve the origin of our emotional disturbances and to respond to life's obstacles with clarity and composure. Eventually, this self-awareness promotes emotional liberty, as we are no longer manipulated by unconscious predispositions or hidden fears. Rather, we become empowered to act in ways aligned with our real values and desires, leading to healthier relationships and a more genuine self.