Thinking about Emotions
They are states of mind, they affect us differently at different times, reflect on moods. Sometimes into exuberance, and sometimes sulk; sometimes angry and and at other sad. They get reflected by our body, and its language. Sometimes smile and sometimes frown.
Why do we experience these emotions? Why are we angry or happy? Exuberant or sad? Have you thought about that? Well I did it!
A few days ago, I read a small piece of writing by a spiritual guru, known as Osho. He wrote:
“Anger is active sadness; sadness is inactive anger. They are not two things. Watch your own behaviour. When do you find yourself sad? You find yourself sad only in situations where you cannot be angry.
People enjoy anger, they relish it, because at least they feel they are doing something. In sadness, you feel that something has been done to you. You have been at the passive end, the receiving end. Something has been done to you and you were helpless and you could not retort, you could not retaliate, you could not react.
In anger, you feel a little good. Everybody wants to do something, otherwise one becomes sad.”
Sounds profound indeed, an attempt to integrate anger with sadness, two emotions often considered poles apart. Perhaps an oversimplification, but still it appeals in the first instance. May be prompt one to smile. Because one may feel the same way, it reflected to a personal experience, something that one never came across being expressed beautifully. One can the feel happy. Why? For that too Osho had a thought:
“Happiness is a shadow of harmony; it follows harmony”.
But one is being happy just a harmony of one's thoughts? I think, one can be happy, even when one sees a person who seems to be in harmony with oneself. The person may be a total stranger, on the road or a shopping mall. It so happens that s/he noticed an unconscious smile and is prompted to smile back at you. It is a body language, the message gets communicated, not by any sound of words, but just by a sight. The same can happen with anger. If you see many around you angry or sad, it is difficult to smile. Similarly, if people around do not seem to be thoughtful can one think?.
I am now wondering about other emotions. Would you like to join me!!!
Rakesh Mohan Hallen