What is it about crying? Crying is the low note on the emotional piano. Some people play it too much. Some people don’t play it at all. I recently got in touch with crying. I went through an unusually traumatic break-up and I really didn’t have a choice. Crying became my daily practice and I got to learn the art of crying, like learning the art of yoga or the art of meditation.

I began my journey as an initiate, but not with any kind of intention or mastery in mind. In those early days, I often forgot to breathe and would get stuck looking like a baby bird with my mouth open, lock-jawed, eyes popping, no sound coming out at all, just emanating waves of shock and disbelief.

I quickly discovered the importance of swimming with, instead of against, the ebb and flow of my feelings. This worked much better and even became pleasurable as I mastered the basic steps: Angry Elf, Harlequin Clown, Weeping Madonna, eventually moving all the way up to Black Belt.

Good crying is about allowing, not about needing. Good crying can turn on a dime into laughter, into arousal, into anger or epiphany. It is fluid and beautiful to watch and even more rewarding to experience. Good crying is healing.

So find yourself a good place to cry. Maybe it’s looking out over an oil refinery, or through a forest, or into a sunset, or even while you drive. Take along a tear-rag or some Kleenex. And don’t let anyone tell you you’re a pussy.