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The Mind~a factory of emotions
What are emotions? what makes us human and makes life interesting, but we rarely stop to ask, what is this feeling¿
Why is it important to understand how the mechanisms responsible for our emotions work?
Because we tend to follow emotion and act accordingly.
The messages and signals that the body and mind send are taken as absolute truth and thus begins a chain reaction.
After a label has been attached to the experience, the mind turns to an appropriate strategy for the event, biology intervenes, and here comes the emotion.
Before we become hostages of the emotions that take over our systems, we should pause to ask a few questions.
Where did this feeling come from? What requires your attention? What’s hidden in the message? Where is all this going?
Emotions~the mechanisms of emotions
The mind has inherent tendencies as to how it deciphers reality; archetypes, innate aspects of the brain.
The existing “programming” is perfected and shaped over time, through the processes of socialization and education, the environment and the experiences it generates.
Alongside the structure of the mind, three operating mechanisms are responsible for the wave of emotions that pass through us on a daily basis.
The three mechanisms interact, each with a unique and collective role, such as turning systems on and off.
The experience of emotions arises from the patterns they create in the brain and body, so if these systems are unbalanced we suffer.
Caution Danger~the rising of Fear
“[…] your brain is actually designed to make mistakes!”, Paul Gilbert
The first and most primordial system is responsible for risk management and self-defense.
Thanks to it we act quickly when there is immediate danger to our lives or our loved ones, but not only…
This system is on high alert, when it sets off, it is difficult for us to grasp information, and sometimes it activates for no apparent reason.
This defense system is responsible for the sharp rise of negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, that function for “self-defense”.
It should be noted that the mind tends to give more room for dealing with threat than pleasant things.
If you’ve made a mistake because you misjudged a situation, it is important to remember, you are not to blame.
Go get! that’s the goal 😉
The second system is responsible for identifying incentives and seeking resources, because of this we are working to improve our lives.
It encourages us to look for resources that we and those around us need to survive and succeed.
This system signals us through positive emotions, such as excitement, joy and satisfaction, and calls us to action, “Go get more.”
If this system is balanced with other systems it lead us to achieve important goals in life and successes.
If it is not balanced, it will make us want more and more, feel unfulfilled, frustrated and disappointed.
If we are prevented from achieving a goal, it is perceived by the mind as a danger, what happens immediately after? We are stressed and anxious.
Relax! Enjoy the moment
The third system brings about calm, it is associated with compassion and affection, its role is to balance the systems.
This mechanism is the main source of our experiencing well-being and satisfaction, as well as a sense of connection to the environment.
It not only contributes to restoring peace and calm, it encourages us to enjoy the moment, to feel content.
It helps us curb the craving that makes us strive for external stimuli, and signals the mind that it is in no danger.
When this system is activated, we experience feelings of calmness, security and peace. These feelings encourage the other system to take a break.
What’s hiding behind our emotions?
“The issues that underlie pain and suffering are nothing more than desperate cries for recognition that our life and our body are sending us.”, Michel Odoul
Life experiences, both the happy and the sad ones leave their mark in the memory storehouse, and it has local branches.
Bits of information embedded in the mind, Stilts images and short films more or less in focus, a story and unclear context.
And the accompanying sensations? The body takes care of storing these, just in case we forget the pain.
The body too answers to the rule of our emotion mechanisms.
Everything is part of a mechanism that is meant to keep us safe; emotions such as fear, anger, and physical pain makes us shrink, self-defense first.
In contrast, experiences of success, satisfaction, pleasure, lead to pleasant feelings, the body is exalted and therefore yearns for more.
Warmth and love, a sense of belonging, empathy, and compassion lead the body to relax, contribute to our well-being and our health.
The body in the mirror remembers and speaks of emotions
When a painful emotion comes up, stop whatever you’re doing and take care of it. Pay attention to what is happening.”, Thich Nhat Hanh
An emotion that has been repressed, or left untreated takes roots in the mind and body.
Under the right circumstances, it will expressed itself both in our experiences and our body.
Studies point to the presence of physical pain, chronic diseases, allergies, etc., as psychosomatic manifestations of emotional suffering.
Buddhist psychology invites us to explore the mind, through the practice of meditation, to set about a self-discovery of our own mind.
At the core of the practice a premise “all is in the mind”, if we are aware and take command, we help keep all systems in check.
Meditation – The medicine cabinet
“Kindness, tenderness, warmth and compassion are like basic vitamins to our brains.”, Paul Gilbert
What scientific research is just beginning to grasp and the world is only discovering, has been practiced over 2500 years in the Far East, this is the path of Buddha.
In meditation we work to balance the systems, to suppress the risk and self-defense mechanism by using mindfulness of the breath.
Through meditation, the mind learns to process information differently, via alternative routes, to move away from the centers of fear.
Along with mindfulness, the third system is nurtured with meditation exercises aimed at cultivating compassion and satisfaction.
Mind training helps develop emotional resistance, sympathy and compassion for ourselves and others, to welcome emotions with understanding.
Find a qualified meditation teacher or certified therapist, don’t let negative emotions take over your joy of life.
Learn to navigate the waves of emotion with mindfulness and wisdom♥
Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.
Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv.