On the dual nature of Emotions

On the dual nature of Emotions

We’ve all heard of the philosophical theories which tell us that there are positive and negative emotions. At a very simple level, emotions like happiness, confidence, and kindness seem to be, de facto, positive- by this it is implied that these emotions have an inherent quality which ensures that the possessors of the mentioned or those who interact with the possessors of these will be benefited in one or the other way. Of course, on the other hand, we have their direct opposites- sorrow, depression, and malice, considered negative. However, it is my personal observation that few things are black and white. Every case is unique-circumstances, background and results all play a part in the final judgment. It might seem ludicrous to suggest that this applies to emotions. How can sorrow be positive? It can, in the case where it is channeled into something productive. The Taj Mahal, was, ultimately, a product of sorrow. Yes the sorrow stemmed from love, but love is a condition, rather than a simple emotion. Had Shah Jahan allowed his sorrow to reduce him into a dejected and inefficient ruler, had he turned to excessive drink and jeopardized the running of the empire, then that sorrow would have been a negative emotion. Now you must be thinking-‘Come on, happiness is always positive, right?’- wrong! Happiness definitely makes you feel good; but I can give you quite a few cases when being happy is definitely a negative emotion. What if you are happy about the miseries of another? What if your happiness is a meaningless thing, a gaudy veil that you use to cover up the reality of the rotting cadavers that are your deficiencies, a drug you use to excuse yourself of your inability to succeed? Then it is but an illusion, something which pulls you back, deceives you- a negative influence, then!  Everything is relative. It would be easy now, to extend the analogy to the other emotions. I do not bore you with them.

Every emotion, then is like a thread handed to us by life. It is how we embroider them into the tapestry of life that in the end affects the overall beauty of that tapestry. You might not like the color of a thread individually, but the whole is more than the sum of the parts. That same color, set in the backdrop of the other colors of your life-tapestry, woven properly, in the right direction and design, will always give you a beautiful whole.

Detachment is cited by many as the path to emotional equilibrium. However, from personal experience, too much of detachment can lead to too much of contentment- yes, there is such a thing! This is particularly in the context of the Advaita theory. If you can accept the fact that all is one, and all is God, it makes everything seem so trivial and meaningless. This of course, can lead you into trouble, handled improperly. It did, for me, when as a JEE student, I never had much motivation to strive harder! Perhaps I did not follow the philosophy in a proper way. Perhaps true detachment does not mean lack of action, a loose and weak construction of the tapestry, but the strength of will to see the tapestry as a whole, to acknowledge with an impartial and critical eye the beauties and defects of it, and to direct the emotional strings which emerged in a productive and optimal way. Perhaps, but it is certainly very difficult to mix karma(action) with complete detachment. Everything in moderation!

Then the way forward seems to be a strategic use of detachment when there is no profit to be gained in being emotionally involved, and to indulge in a careful dipping of toes in emotion when detachment seems to be stalling your progress. Then, pick an emotion to serve your need- and you will find that, when it comes to achieving a goal, the so called negative emotions are actually your best friends. Of course, have the maturity to direct these emotions inward! Get angry at yourself- beat your lazy inner self into action, scold yourself! Make sure you really feel downhearted and depressed after a failure- direct that sorrow towards creating an urgent recovery plan. Within bounds, be jealous of others, again in a positive way- feel bad that you lack some good quality they have, and ask yourself what you can do to attain that.

Perception and reaction are everything. In a final summary that is rather cliché; Be the master of your emotions, do not let them be your masters!