Non Reactivity is Not Necessarily an Indication of Health or Enlightenment

In this episode, Teal Swan explores why emotional non-reactivity is not necessarily an indication of personal growth or enlightenment, and how the societal obsession with emotional control may be causing more harm than good. Learn the truth about emotions and the importance of being in a healthy relationship with them.

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👉 Who Is Teal Swan?

Teal Swan is a New Thought Leader and a Bestselling Author who is an expert in human development and relationships. She has over a decade of experience working with people of all walks of life with a mission to reduce human suffering.

Today, she’s also become an International Speaker, having facilitated retreats and life changing workshops in large venues worldwide. Teal was ranked 15th on The Watkins Most Spiritually Influential Living People in 2023.

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Beginning and Ending Song:
Teal Swan Intro by Christian De Raco

[alexl]

I was never allowed to show emotions when I was growing up. I was either made to fell bad or wrong or my parents would attack me for showing how I felt. So I learned to become externally calm regardless of how I felt inside to keep myself safe.

[erome]

I have strong emotions and opinions. I’ve always been shut down for it or gaslit.
Than i went through the positive only lifestyle and made me lose my sense of self.
Now I’m healing towards my authentic self.

[Dirtylilac]

I realized the most secure version of me is not afraid of going crazy, therefore, I don't resist it, THEREFORE, I can actually be in control of emotions without suppressing them.

[NLTops]

When I choose not to express my emotions, it is not because I do not feel. It is because I do not trust those around me with knowledge of how I feel.
Internally, emotions are all about self-reflection. Understanding your emotions helps you understand how people and events in your environment affect you and relate to you.
Externally, emotions are a communicative medium. Allowing you to influence the behaviour of others by how you express yourself. We show anger to indicate boundaries, fear or sadness to seek comfort and so on. At the core, it is about teaching others about what we like and dislike.

These processes exist separately. You can do one without the other. You can express what you like or dislike without thinking too hard about it, and you can reflect deeply on how you feel without sharing it with anyone.

[indianastoned]

Well said. It's a tough balance to feel your emotions without being driven by them but they really are messages

[Deadbeatdebonair]

I always like to say “If we are indeed spirit here to have a human experience… then HAVE a human experience. Don’t disidenify away from the growing pains that are an integral part of having a human experience

[Notthecopy]

I operate from the place where crying is coping. Unfortunately, I have found many who are uncomfortable with feeling their emotions often judge those of us who cry as weak, fragile, and emotionally unstable. What's sad is that their inability to feel their feelings keeps them in toxic loops where they lash out or stonewall as their primary coping strategy aside from sex, drugs, alcohol, bullying or anything else that might force them to feel something other than anger.

[ljohnson]

I’ve moved to the US 10 years ago. I’m still observing and trying to understand this mystery to me on how you culturally process emotions. Especially in the corporate world. I’ve noticed it’s not well received to just be human. A mask must be worn. I understand it’s for the sake of productivity and recognize some benefits to it but find it is mostly very limiting in terms of communication.
Not that not expressing emotions doesn’t exist in my country (France) but I have to say, you guys take it to another level.
So, again, I’ve been observing and wondering how you do. I got two answers: Many people absorb a lot of medication to regulate.
People have become so expert in talking about dogs, a very safe subject that doesn’t raise threatening emotions.
Give me your thoughts if you feel like it. Thank you!

[diddiemcfly]

I've been struggling a LOT with expressing my emotions lately, I think it's mainly because I have SO MUCH resistance around expressing my emotions. Thank you so much for this content, that is once again super on point and super synchronized. I appreciate your work Teal, much love from Belgium <3

[dinabrenner]

Coolness, poker face, toughness - these were the goals that were the order of the day when I was at school. (1996 - 2002) Never to show any emotion like shame, fear, excessive demands, embarrassment, failure, infatuation, etc.

[valedro]

I love this message! I was never able to completely suppress my emotions even though I was made the family scapegoat for having them (as well as pointing out inconsistencies and asking difficult questions). Now that I've worked so hard to reown my emotions, I don't want to live without them anymore. I'm definitely someone who feels strongly, and emotions make me love life. I got into a relationship with someone nonreactive, thinking he was evolved. Not at all - he's just avoidant. Now I'm looking for emotional availability in people. And also, my entire life purpose is to be a mirror for these emotional (avoidance) issues. It's the most important thing in my life. ❤

[kostapapa]

I think of un-emotional non reactive people as ...robots...with dissociative disorder...lots of repressed emotional energy... definitely not enlightened in my book. I consciously choose to never stifle my emotions. I always express them. I love them like my children. Some are naughty some are nice. I hug them all. I do not fear them. I own and am at peace with my "negative" emotions. I do not even like to label them negative. They are my children I repeat. And I love them equally as any mother would.

[ThailandLottery-vzpm]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[jaynebarry]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This NEEDED to be said. I know you have said it before, but it simply cannot be said enough. As always, we are so appreciative of your work here.❤

[LauraVolpintesta]

I think nonreactivity is heavily installed in our education system, breaking children’s response for life and then those humans grow up and raise kids who reject even their babies’ emotions. As a homeschooling mom
I notic d how history lessons would mae my daughter cry- and then I realized how we wouldn’t DARE cry at history in school. Or show out anger towards a teacher or a classmate without getting punished.

[weddingdancemadesimple]

Sadly too many people judge that have no business doing so. Thanks for sharing this

[ebbenielsen]

So right. That is, apart from the fact that it makes no sense to call some emotions negative emotions, since all emotions are basically very positive, as they tell us something important, regardless of whether it feels nice or not.

[BrianJames-lh]

Amen to "walking, breathing gaslight"!

[jeanette]

Love this video. The type of "emotion regulation" that good therapists teach is about noticing what naturally brings you joy, peace, and excitement, and building more of those things into your life. So it is never about ignoring the emotions!

[freespirit-]

I’ve been told that I’m too sensitive, too emotional, and that i wear my emotions on my sleeve. This makes me sad, because i like to talk about things, address issues.