When we understand the vital connection between feelings and needs, we develop a deep understanding that can enable us to take loving care of our hearts and those around us. This approach is one of the fundamental and most profound methods we can give to ourselves. The more deeply you experience your feelings, the closer you will be shown how to discover clues to what you need. Allow yourself to investigate deeply, realizing that challenging feelings are not permanently in control; you will learn how to make it the starting point and a catalyst for you to recognize how to take care of your needs. It's an act of self-love. This is common sense wisdom that we have yet to be taught. Understanding the connection between feelings and needs is a gift to yourself and can lead you to be your own benefactor, thereby expanding the quality of your life.

The key is understanding the link between discovering your specific challenging feelings and becoming clear on how to steer yourself toward your needs. In this episode, you will be given invaluable clues on using your fear, anxieties, anger, or difficult feelings and then connecting them with what core needs are not being met. You will be encouraged to go to awarenessthatheals.org and use the free downloadable Introspective Guides to guide you to discover specifically the 75 most difficult feelings and the 75 most core essential needs. This will be a very important journey for all of us to be able to learn how to guide ourselves when we're challenged.

Examples of needs can include connection, trust, affection, appreciation, being understood, or whatever feels most essential for you. Going for what you need most involves listening and responding to what's most important to your heart—and that's only sometimes obvious. In this guided meditation, you will ask yourself what you feel at the moment, or most recently, that is most emotionally challenging. See if you can plant the intention to identify, tolerate, and explore those core difficult feelings that are the keys to guide you toward self-compassion. This practice is revolutionary since most of us feel a feeling and stay there, not realizing that learning how to move toward our needs is the key to optimizing our quality of life.

• The Introspective Guides: download your copy here.

• Watch the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

• Read the transcription & listen to this episode at Awareness That Heals.