“Triggers are the teachers to trust, thank and transcend” - Leigh Eggins

What if I told you that without triggers, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to observe, reflect and heal ourselves?

Remember, we are human beings, a naturally and perfectly flawed species.

A trigger is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as something that sets off a flashback, transporting a person back to the traumatic event. 

We often think other people are triggering us, however they are simply holding mirrors up to ourselves. You see, for every emotional reaction, there is a root underlying cause. 

When we change the way we perceive the world around us and our interactions with the people in it, we can identify triggers and separate ourselves from the emotional reaction.  It’s in this moment we gain insight.

Our triggers awaken us to the strong inner guidance inside that pulls at us to heal the parts of ourselves we still haven’t learned to accept.

Three simple steps to IDENTIFY your triggers

1. Set the intention 

During your morning meditation set the intention to see and learn from your triggers. Tell yourself, “I want to be able to see my emotional triggers today so that I can become a better version of myself.” Setting an intention begins to wire the pathways of the brain to objectively view the triggers that you may have previously reacted to in a negative way.

2. Write it down

Writing is an incredibly powerful process which can allow us to see and log patterns. Simply write down times you have been triggered in the past. How did you feel, and how did you react in these situations? As you write and reflect on past reactions you’ll learn so much by being present to thoughts and feelings you weren’t aware of before. 

Apply this in real time for maximum results. By taking 3-5 minutes to write about a situation that has just triggered you will provide you with greater insight. It will also unlock the door to the next and final step.

3. Understand “why”

The more you stop and observe instead of reacting to your triggers, the more insight you will receive. When you can understand why you react emotionally in different situations, you open yourself to choice in changing how you react so that your triggers actually become your teacher.

Remember this… our emotions can change the chemistry of both our brain and our body. If you have been in a subconscious habit of reacting to your triggers, you will be benefit greatly from bringing them into consciousness.

In committing to and starting this practice, it may feel strange at first, you could experience some overwhelm, however each time you do this you might just achieve an emotional breakthrough. Trust the process, it’s worth the work!

Three steps to TRANSCEND your triggers 

1. Trust

Identify the triggered emotion you are feeling as energy and allow it to travel through you. Try not to label it or react to it. Just acknowledge it and breathe through it. 

Alternatively, write down what you are feeling even if it doesn’t make sense. Every time you observe your reaction, acknowledge it and assign a positive emotion to the experience. 

As you practice this (like with anything), the pathways of the brain will change and you will be less inclined to go back to the habitual reaction.

2. Thank

Breathe and say this while connecting to the emotion of gratitude “Thank you for this emotion and what it can teach me.” 

Remember that linking a thought with an emotion assists in the process of change. The power of our thoughts and feelings are very powerful, it’s what manifestation is all about.  Use this affirmation as often as needed. 

3. Transcend

Make space to process and move forward, be patient with yourself and tap into your intuition so that you know when to release. Do not push yourself to observe and learn if you’re having a natural resistance to it. 

With perseverance you will begin to notice your emotions and reactions shifting. You will begin to feel lighter (and brighter) and more willing to have a different emotional experience. Each time this is practiced you become more aware of your own behaviors, habits and thoughts. Self-awareness will be your reward.

Experiencing your triggers and learning about what they are teaching you will allow you to take your own inner power back and to understand that no one outside of you can control the inner peace and love that is within you.

Sources and further reading:

Your triggers are your teachers

Let your triggers be your teachers