Emotions 2.0

Emotions Revisited

Thinking about computers, I noticed that as I have started to manage my emotions; I have become more rational. According to Hawkins (see Levels of Consciousness) this step of rationality represents a higher level of consciousness. However, he indicates that we must accept our emotions again to grow further. Recognizing our humanity may make it easier to forgive ourselves and others: something I find hard to do sometimes. 

                The idea of being both rational and emotional seems to be in conflict. However, if we decide to manage our emotions we can find a wonderful balance. We can feel our emotions, while still being rational and human. It is our unintended reactions to stress provoking situations that must be changed. Some get angry and punch walls or worse. It happens so fast, that the reaction appears as if it hasn’t been thought out. There are many automatic reactions to emotions. 

                Sometimes they come from our emotional memory. This is formed from conception to age two, before we develop our frontal lobes which give us the capacity for conscious memory. Therefore in some situations we react emotionally without even knowing why. This suggests that this time period is critical to the development of a mature human and those younger than three must be given a safe, healthy and loving environment to minimize negative emotional memories.

                If we look at the random appearance of emotions and add to that our almost random reaction to them; I wonder how best to proceed. I don’t like the behaviors and feelings that I have due to someone else’s programs, but can I restructure them to be of my choosing? For example, what if I chose to program myself to be happy when I think it’s appropriate? Can I do that? I know it's possible. I have already been programmed by society to feel good when I get and spend money; even if it is for something I don’t need. I feel good when I acquire assets. These are temporary states of euphoria and happiness and they take precedence over longer term rewards that come from giving and compassion.                  

                To fully embrace our selves we must also embrace our emotions and to improve the outcomes of our efforts, we must learn forgiveness. We must do this for ourselves as well as others. We are human and we make mistakes. By the time I had reached the age of twenty-one, I had made many mistakes and I continued to do so. I had to rationally accept them and I had to forgive myself. After all, I’m only human.

                 To make changes in the actions I perform and yet I dislike some kind of reprogramming is necessary. I have used Intentional meditation for what had previously been referred to as self hypnosis. Instead of a mantra, synchronize your breathing with "I will" or "I am" when breathing in and then inserting the desired change when exhaling. One can insert happy, patient, calm or anything to be changed. In Biblical times breath was equated with the holy spirit, so it is important to keep it synchronized.