Hi BurtonD - I just felt a pull to write. There's a lot of info here on how to be within your current experience. It can feel really confusing and disorientating going through this, many do and it seems like a part of the path - to move through a phase where we are highly vulnerable to these experiences. I also went through a very rough time - I had no clue at the time why or how I was going to live through it but slowly as I learnt to just accept it, and not judge it - feel though the emotions it was causing - it started to dissolve. Like you mentioned it seems unreal to have to experience these things but it's strengthening to know you are supported and that the more you can literally soften into and relax into what they trigger in you, the easier it gets. Open also at times suggests becoming 'as nothing' in it. This might resonate a little - try to feel what this means and the impact this has, I've found its very helpful. These things happen as we open up - that's probably why you're addressing this, harness your faith and know it will be just fine as you continue to evolve - and the fear around the opening will fall away :) katie