A Closer Look at Emotions and How They Shape Us

Emotions play a huge role in our everyday lives, but understanding them can sometimes feel confusing. We often use terms like sensitivity, feelings, and emotions interchangeably, without realizing that they are different. By breaking them down and understanding each one, we can gain a clearer perspective on how emotions affect us and how we can live more freely without being controlled by them.

Sensitivity – The Foundation of Perception

Sensitivity is the ability to sense or be aware of things. This could be anything from thoughts to emotions or feelings. Think of sensitivity as the foundation of how we experience life. It's not the same as emotions or feelings but is more of a general capacity to perceive things happening in and around us. It's the natural ability that we, as humans, possess to sense what is going on, both inside and outside our minds.

Feelings – Inputs from Our Body

The word "feelings" is commonly mixed up with emotions. However, feelings are the inputs we receive through our senses. These could be physical sensations like heat or cold, or emotional sensations like sadness or joy. Our body is equipped with various senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and emotion. For instance, you may feel cold when you touch ice (touch sense) or feel sadness due to an emotional response triggered by a past event (emotional sense). The key is that feelings are the signals we receive, not necessarily the emotions we experience.

One interesting aspect of sensitivity is our "thought sense," where we can sense a thought. For example, thinking about a lemon might not stir any feeling, but thinking about eating a lemon can trigger the sensation of sourness in your mouth. This shows that not every thought creates a feeling, highlighting the distinction between thoughts and feelings.

Emotions – The Physical Impact of Thoughts

Emotions are the physical sensations that arise from thoughts. When a thought gains strength or momentum, it can cause a bodily sensation, such as a racing heart when we are anxious or butterflies in our stomach when we're excited. This bodily experience of thoughts is what we call emotions. Sometimes, we mistakenly believe that emotions are automatic, but not all thoughts need to trigger emotions. Only when a thought has strong intensity does it lead to an emotional response in the body.

Interestingly, there is no such thing as a "good" emotion. When we feel good, it’s actually the absence of resistance, or negative emotions, that creates the sense of well-being. For example, feeling peaceful comes from not having any resistance or emotional tension in the body. This challenges the common belief that emotions themselves can make us feel good.

Thoughts – The Starting Point of Emotions

Thoughts are ideas, interpretations, or imaginations we form in our minds. When we focus on a thought, it starts to gather momentum, eventually becoming more solid and tangible. A thought with enough momentum can trigger emotions, especially if it has been stored up over time. This build-up can create blockages in the body, making us feel heavy or tense.

For instance, a painful memory from the past can keep resurfacing and gaining strength. If we don’t release it, it accumulates in the body, leading to emotional and physical suffering. Over time, these built-up emotions become harder to manage, causing discomfort and even pain.

Freedom from Emotional Resistance

The real goal for many people is to reach a state where thoughts do not cause emotional discomfort. Imagine being able to think about an unpleasant experience without feeling the physical pain or tension associated with it. This kind of freedom allows us to live more fully, without being held back by fear or anxiety.

A common example is stage fright. The thought of speaking in front of a large audience can create nervousness, but if we could remove the emotional response, we would feel more confident, even if the thought of performing still lingers. This freedom from emotional impact gives us the space to take risks and pursue what we truly want, without being weighed down by emotional resistance.

The Fear of Emotion, Not the Thought Itself

What many people fear isn’t the thought itself but the emotion that accompanies it. For instance, people who suffer from claustrophobia fear the feeling of being trapped, but what truly bothers them is the emotional reaction—the intense fear—that the thought creates. Without the emotional reaction, they would likely feel less anxious about being in confined spaces.

Similarly, many people avoid activities like public speaking or attending social events because of the emotions these situations trigger. The actual thought of the event might not be so daunting, but the emotional impact, such as nervousness or fear of judgment, makes it harder to engage.

Being Free of Emotions for Inner Wholeness

When we can release the emotional responses tied to our thoughts, we experience what is often referred to as "inner freedom" or "inner wholeness." This state allows us to live without being limited by our emotions. Without emotional resistance, we are more open to inspiration and inner wisdom. For example, we might want to approach someone we're attracted to, but the fear of rejection (and the emotions tied to it) holds us back. By freeing ourselves from those emotions, we can act on our desires without hesitation.

Contrary to what some may think, being free of emotions does not make a person cold or unfeeling. Instead, it gives them the ability to experience thoughts like empathy or compassion without the emotional intensity that clouds their judgment or well-being.

The Benefits of Emotional Freedom

Living without being controlled by emotions can transform our attitude towards life. It allows us to engage with situations, relationships, and challenges from a place of wisdom rather than emotional reaction. We are no longer prisoners of strong emotions like fear, anger, or guilt. Instead, we can explore our thoughts and desires with confidence and stability.

Ultimately, achieving freedom from emotions opens the door to living a more fulfilling and fearless life. It allows us to pursue what we truly want, without the limitations of emotional resistance. This state of being is not about becoming emotionless, but about being in control of our responses, allowing us to act with clarity and purpose.