Body feels like crying

After stressful events that I'm unaccustomed to, or after strenuous workout, my body feels as if it wants to cry.

I am unable to produce the tears to "cry it out", but my body feels it.

This started happening when I had a miscarriage (at the time, I didn't know I had miscarriage, but Doctor estimates it was at that time).

Right now, I do meditative drawing to ease the symptoms. People think I am an artist (I'm in IT) because the drawings are so intense and beautiful.

Also, I do deep-breathing meditation, 15 minutes, 2 times a day. I lay on my bed on my back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor. I place one hand on my stomach, one hand on my chest, and I concentrate on breathing through my diaphragm.

As I inhale, diaphragm expands, exhale, diaphragm contracts.

Anything else I can do?

What does Buddhism recommend about art? Or anything to ease this suffering?

In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community , my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.

Migrated from http://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/13930/7586

Discernment heals, discernment, Mrs Rhonda. Skinny Gotami & the Mustard Seed ,  Kisagotami Theri When dukkha (suffering) arises, observe it simply. Its also not lasting, when observed. Feeling come and go, pleasant, unpleasant and indifferent. Look at it while you breath.

Also useful essays are Meeting the Divine Messengers (by Ven. [in this regard] Bhikkhu Bodhi) and Affirming the Truths of the Heart- The Buddhist Teachings on Samvega & Pasada (by Ven. Ajahn Thanissaro). Once one does not see the reminder of the truth of Dukkha he/she learns to see it as a "friend" one who reminds one, that there is a way out of it, which brings a wise joy and effort. People who really met the divine messenger, and to not deny them, are actually more then blessed.

And once you see the gift, your merits, that you have been able to see through this matter, you are able to develop Mudita (appreciation with the merits and goodness you had developed or you develop of your self and the goodness developed by others) and don't simply waste your past merits by seeking cheep pleasure and consume it, which will just for short times bring some pleasure.

Since it seems that Mrs. Rhonda is very new or not good informed in regard of Buddha Dhamma, Atma would also suggest to read a introduction which also cut away certain modern and western miss leadings:  Beyond All Directions - Essays on the Buddhist Path . Please see also the discussion on the answer of Mr/Mrs Blackflam3 to understand better ("hopefully" such discussion will not be deleted, since they can be very useful for later readers, to certain answers)

Last but not least, here a share of merits (if Atma remembers right, the generous person is even a BuddhimsSE member) of art in the context of supportive for the path. The Buddha even allowed art that gives rise to samvega and pasada for such places like the Vihara and others.

Dhamma-Art: ¿ Appamada ?

And here is a book, teaching Dhamma by picture, a traditional way to transport the Dhamma:

 

Teaching Dhamma by pictures: Explanation of a Siamese Traditional Buddhist Manuscript , by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa (2015; 50pp./23KB) This small booklet was released at the 100 years anniversary of Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhus birth day and explains the Dhamma in the classical kind of South East Asia's practice by pictures which are described by the author. Links to suttas and various references for further explaining have been added.

You can start with a smile, when you wake up in the morning each day, be grateful that you are alive and just think to yourself "I will make this a joyful and pleasant day".

Start today. And increase it to moments during the day and then be grateful that you are here each moment, breathing. Simply accept each moment and each person for what it is and what they are. This increases your acceptance of your life and every moment.

As for the exercise that you do, I suggest you don't deep breathe too much. Just start initially with about 3-4 deep breaths. Smile. And then focus on normal breathing. I suggest you do this sitting up as erect as possible but not tight.

As for art, I think it is fine to adopt more sceneries and beauty in things. Because as such that is creation. Be grateful that you have this talent in you to sketch. And do it with a smile.

This life is to be loved and lived. And living happens in the "now". Not in the past and not in the future. It is upto you to create life as it is.

Don't live in the mind. Live the moment.

I wish you pleasantness and joy with each passing moment.

 

1	Since that will lead at least to the same cry, because for this short living pleasure will be an end, will be separation, even through it is the normal approach of psychology to make people function again, to be productive members, does BlackFlam3 think that this is a useful way. Not to speak that such is not really the message of the path. Of course the thought, what a "luck" that I have met this existence and met reality, I should use the opportunity and this body as long as possible to gain wisdom and release and simply but ones joy in regard of what is pasada, clarity and serene confidence – Samana Johann 5 hours ago
1	...that is the drive for right effort coming form ardency (one factor of samadhi), when not only meeting dukkha but also the way to find release form it: d.h. the Noble Eightfold Path.Maybe useful in more detail: Affirming the Truths of the Heart – Samana Johann 5 hours ago
1	@SamanaJohann Life is a step-by-step process. I am sure you will agree with me that peace and acceptance of life as it is, is of prime importance. I mean we need to first start with these small steps. The next steps of samadhi and meditation will follow. Too many people make the mistake of jumping into philosophies and their minds are always vacillating Not blaming anyone. But that is the way of the mind. It loves to cling to something, and then something else. People need to be guided through the basic steps first. Otherwise it will become very difficult to understand for the novice. – BlackFlam3 4 hours ago
1	No, Buddha never advised to accept dukkha, and be pleased by life. He called it intoxication. The message is not to reject joy, but to seek it there where it bear long time fruits. And if there is not right view on the first place, which means, that one confirms the 4NT by faith (intellectual), every meditation ends in wrong samadhi and in wrong release. A thought its wellness Buddhism approaches are the reason of the Dhamma-industry and its success, its actually does not bear real fruits, even cause much of maya ditthi. No need to guide one, who is not open to it... – Samana Johann 4 hours ago
1	...and it would be somehow underestimation or opinionatedness to approach people in such ways. Why deny anothers ability to understand and certain wisdom at the first place or why mislead one? That does not mean that BlackFlam3 must have had deliberately intention to do such. Atma "assumes" more, that he/she him/hereselves lacks of enough confidence him/her self. There is no evidence, that leading people to pleasure in sensuality (or better to rejoice with it) among the five senses, is only a little a wholesome deed, even it well meant, its must be connected with certain delusion. – Samana Johann 4 hours ago