Emotions

Human beings experience a vast spectrum of emotions, swinging from ecstatic highs to profound lows. These feelings, undeniably tangible, are typically accepted without question. After all, emotions feel incredibly real and accurate representations of our realities. But have you ever paused to examine these emotional states critically, without getting caught up in the storm they bring? The power to challenge and dissect emotions is essential, for it allows us to explore the root cause, whether it's an external trigger such as the weather or an interpersonal conflict, or an internal source that's grounded in past experiences.

Much of our emotional turbulence arises from our interactions with others. Suppose someone behaves unexpectedly, perhaps they say something hurtful or act peculiarly. Our immediate reaction is to internalize their actions, often leading to feelings of negativity. If this response is unchecked, it often bubbles over, leading to external reactions, escalating the situation further. It's crucial to remember that the internal and external responses are intertwined; our reactions, both inward and outward, are interconnected aspects of the same emotional state.

The ability to objectively identify when you're in a negative emotional state is an important step in emotional growth. By recognizing your negative emotions, you are, in essence, disidentifying from them, making it possible to evaluate the situation more objectively. Understanding what triggers your negativity can lead to a surprising revelation: the source of the emotion often stems from our own behavior or a reflection of it.

Are you possibly as difficult as the person you critique? Could your actions and behaviors, knowingly or unknowingly, have contributed to the situation? Observing the event objectively and identifying any parallels in your own behavior can be transformative. This process requires intellectual effort - it's about actively engaging your thinking processes to understand the event and your emotions. The resulting awareness helps to dissipate the energy drain those negative emotions cause.

True transformation cannot be attained through deception or justifications. It's a journey towards authenticity. To find the root of the emotion, you must introspect sincerely, recognizing similar tendencies within yourself before you can genuinely cancel the emotion. It's a stark truth that often, we treat others and react to them in a manner that mirrors our own behaviors. Accepting this truth is a significant leap towards emotional growth.

Emotions, even the ones perceived as positive, can have negative roots. The sense of triumph when besting a rival or the warm glow from flattery are examples of what may seem positive but are essentially rooted in negative emotions. The underlying self-love that seeks constant validation can result in depression when the validation ceases. It's necessary to be skeptical of our emotions, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and especially be wary of the illusion of positivity in enthusiastic states.

True positive emotion stems from the Feeling Centre in Essence, a core part of our inner being. Positive emotions, unlike negative ones, are consistent and do not sway. Love that flips into hate is not a positive emotion from the higher Feeling Centre. It originates from our outer, sensory self.

To cultivate genuine positive emotions, we must start with the Intellectual Centre. The purification of the Emotional Centre requires prior cleansing of the Intellectual Centre. Jesus taught that change must begin with the mind, a shift in thought patterns. As the mind begins to perceive truth, the Emotional Centre is freed from false emotions, allowing the manifestation of positive emotions from the inner being.

Our interactions with others are often marred by false perceptions. We tend to believe that others are criticizing us, either overtly or covertly. These misunderstanding fuels negative feelings within us. Realization that we all tend to overlook our own behavioral patterns while assuming we fully understand others' can break this cycle of negativity.

A key aspect of emotional growth lies in understanding that our lives are products of our own actions and decisions. This understanding is the gateway to true forgiveness. When we feel consumed by self-pity, feeling that we were wronged or not given fair opportunities, we fill our Emotional Centre with negativity. Once we accept that our life experiences result from our own actions, we can extend and receive forgiveness, paving the way for emotional purification and inner peace.