emotions

dreamweapon

Is it normal for emotions to grow more perceptibly after practicing Buddhism for some time? I've noticed that my happiness is happier, and that's great. On the other hand, my anger and blues can get bluer, if you know what I mean.

This probably has something to do with me getting more in touch with bodily sensations and the minutae of my mind, right? That I'm picking up on these emotions more deeply.

I know it is incorrect to turn away from the negative emotions, but if they go on and on is it a good thing to stay with them? Wouldn't that be feeding them and continuing the cycle of harm to self and others?

ShiftPlusOne

Is it possible that instead of thinking "yay, I am awesome" or "grr, that guy is a jerk" you're thinking "I am feeling happy" or " I am feeling angry"? What I am saying is that perhaps you are more AWARE of the emotions.

dreamweapon

Yes, more aware and more bewildered! I'm normally not as deeply in touch with my anger but have felt and expressed it more openly (at work only, mind you) recently. It's not causing excessive trouble, but think that it is something I need to work on controlling now before it does get out of hand.

I think that the more 'relaxed' I have become with my body, mind and heart, the more open I am to embracing the flavor of my emotions.

ShiftPlusOne

Hmm, in theory that's not how it's meant to work. What 'should' happen is that you become aware of your emotions and go "ah... an emotion... I can choose to act on it if I want, but I won't since it's anger... so I'll just mindful of it instead."

Is it previously suppressed/repressed anger? Meditation can bring that sort of stuff out.

dreamweapon

Repressed, yes, I think it could qualify. It starts forming and lingering over me like a cloud, at times from out of nowhere.

ShiftPlusOne

Well, I think I'll let some of the knowledgeable members take this one.

Anupassī

If you're holding onto a ball, and you discover that it is a red-hot piece of iron that is charring your flesh, you will drop it.

aMatt

dreamweapon,

Yes, what you describe is common. Quite often, we notice that our emotions are more real. The practice is then to learn to let go of what you're experiencing. What I have seen is that people often get excited over the happiness that arises when we cultivate awareness and then try to press into it. Much like trying to savor the experience. This creates the habit of absorption... making the pain more vibrant as well!

Consider approaching your emotions as though they are transient and not really composed of anything. "Oh, this is anger, I remember, this is essentially composed of nothing, passes through, and fades away." "Oh, this is happiness, I remember, this is essentially composed of nothing, passes through, and fades away."

There is a resonant joyousness that exists outside this rhythm of emotion, and happens as we learn to detach from the rise and fall of all of our emotions... we don't grab at the good ones or push away the bad ones, just notice and let them pass through. Like keeping your front door and back door open... in and out they flow.

Just let them go and they do go... what remains is peace.

With warmth,

Matt

dreamweapon

thank you guys so much

ThailandTom

The dalai Lama once said that once you realise you are suffering, you want to end the suffering just as a sick person realises they are sick so takes medication. Once you realise you are suffering, the want to be rid of it increases, this may be why you feel the downers more. You have come to be aware that life is suffering through the eyes of ignorance, yet it takes a whole lot of practice to wake up!

DaltheJigsaw

The dalai Lama once said that once you realise you are suffering, you want to end the suffering just as a sick person realises they are sick so takes medication. Once you realise you are suffering, the want to be rid of it increases, this may be why you feel the downers more. You have come to be aware that life is suffering through the eyes of ignorance, yet it takes a whole lot of practice to wake up!

Exactly!