Tumescence occurs when undigested experiences or repeated negative events accumulate and get stuck in our consciousness.
When triggered, this blocked energy leads to disproportionate reactions, waiting to explode.
Tumescence can be activated in two ways: The first is when a situation mirrors a past trauma we avoided or denied, reactivating that pain and trauma. Our response becomes not just about the present, but about all the unresolved past pain.
The second way is when any sudden influx of energy, positive or negative, triggers the accumulation. An exciting event, falling in love, or an unexpected joy can open up pockets of unresolved pain, bringing back memories of loss or sadness.
When left unaddressed, tumescence can leak into the background, causing irritability and a sense of dissatisfaction. It often manifests as complaints like, “this isn’t enough,” or, “I’m not enough,” along with a sense of fear.
If the energy is stronger than our attention, it will act automatically, leading to the perception that energy activation is dangerous. The actual danger is simply the inability to match attention to the level of activation.
Activation is skillful when we connect with an attention stronger than our own. With attention and holding, this energy can be cycled back into our body and converted to power.
More often, though, we constrict or try to block energy activation because we have no idea there is a way to confront and use it for good.