Category: Spiritual Writings

“Many of our emotional responses can be traced back to our childhood, where they served a highly valuable function: to make sense out of the earthling experience.  We may have found out, for example that we would get what we want, if we throw a temper tantrum.  Or, the expression of anger may not have been allowed in our family and we learned to stuff it. Crying could then be a way to hopefully get our needs met, or depression may result from the unexpressed feelings.

On an evolutionary note, emotions in general serve as a feedback system, and along with our rational faculties, guide our decision making process.  ‘Emergency emotions’ such as intense fear or anger originate in one of the older brain parts, the amygdala.  The function of these feelings is to protect us, ensuring our survival: fear can prevent danger, and anger gives us the strength to defend ourselves.

Most of our emotional experience is greatly influenced by thought.  We can process our feelings and decide on a course of action.  However, there are those times when we become intensely ‘triggered,’ and it may seem as if our responses are completely out of control. (Daniel Goleman in his brilliant book Emotional Intelligence calls that ‘Emotional Hijacking’).

In the instance of an angry outburst a protective mechanism takes over. In that moment, the amygdala or emotional brain directs our action without first going through the thinking brain (neocortex). For cave humans this was an advantage – they could immediately react to danger.  For us modernites reacting socially before we think can get us into serious trouble.  However, our biology hasn’t changed that much in the last 10,000 years.

This is where emotional evolution comes in: we may not be able to change the parts of our brain, yet we hold the key to our personal development through awareness and choice.  Evolution has become a conscious, self- directed process, up to you and I.

In case of an “Emotional Hijacking,” slow down the time between emotional trigger and response. When you notice you are getting worked up, do something – anything – to not respond right away: take a deep breath, go outside, hang up the phone – give yourself time to think about it. Chances are your results will be much more constructive.

The great work of personal evolution challenges us to bridge the gap between emotions and mind.  We need to learn how to marry older and newer parts of our brain, valuing our emotions as much as our thoughts.  It is through integration that mastery can be achieved.

For sunrise and sunset both announce the beginning of something new, one could not exist without the other. And who is to say that the sun dancing on the ocean waves is more beautiful than the exquisite elegance of moonlit silver in the night…”

innerevolution.com

“Anger and fear undermine our immune system, while warm-heartedness brings peace of mind. Therefore, just as we teach children to comply with physical hygiene for the good of their health, we should also counsel them in a kind of hygiene of the emotions.

Kindness and a good heart are the foundation for success in this life, progress on the spiritual path, and the fulfillment of our aspirations. Our need for them is not limited to any specific time, place, society, or culture.”  www.dalailama.com

“Our limited belief systems and programing are the cause for us not revealing our full potential. Doubt, insecurity, fear are triggered by this programming.

Take one behavior or belief about yourself that you want to change that is limiting you and not allowing you to be all that you can be. Bring awareness to it and find different actions to empower yourself and get you closer to what you want with your highest good in mind.

Every day take one little step towards what you want and start building a strong foundation where you co-create a new reality for yourself.

It does not matter how long it takes, what matters is that you show yourself that you love YOU and are willing to do it and bring happiness and freedom from your old limited belief system.

YOU have the power to change anything about yourself and become all that you can be. Liberate yourself from the illusion that you are not enough or not capable.

YOU ARE, WE ARE capable of creating a new world for ourselves filled with love, compassion and unity. The choice is yours…..