Our Journey with Emotions:
Why We Need Them, What They're Here For
My explanations of the below emotions are based off of the powerful work explored by
GuruMeher Singh Khalsa, as well as my own understanding and experience of them.
FEAR
Fear ignites our fight or flight response. Making this more complicated for the modern woman, is the reality of no longer needing to run from tigers or fight off wolves. For a lot of us our unknown wild now looks more like a cryptic text or a teetering bank account. And while our nervous system will ignite in the same way, the source of fear is abstract. Meaning that generally a significant portion of fear we experience is rooted in the past, or future.
We've come to call this anxiety, and it's important that we recognize its origin in fear. It's also important to recognize that our fear triggers are still there to protect and guide, from physical and emotional damage into peace and serenity.
DESIRE
Desire crops up differently for all of us, as we all desire different things and to different extents. Though we'll find that the craving for what we each desire the most, is often felt in the same way. Desire does not let you ignore your need, and often the reaction to mask what you truly seek results in self destruction. Addiction is derived out of a desire, not for substance, but for a deeper connection to love, or purpose, or yourself. While we don't all suffer from addiction, we do all have desires, and a need to pursue them.
ANGER
Anger is our power. We start learning to weald it at a young age and its reception by the people around us can often dictate whether we suppress or flex. Either way, when anger is misused it is a sign that we are attempting to discover and assert our true value. Many people are stuck in anger, unable to forgive or take action as it can be very difficult to do either. Ultimately anger is leading us and teaching us to take action in grace.
DEPRESSION
Depression forces us to slow down, and take inventory of our lives. It's sinking, and can pull us deep into darkness, sadness and unexplainable apathy. It's most difficult to see this emotion as a positive helper when thoughts of hopelessness and victimization tend to take over. Surrendering to depression and apathy allow us to give up control, which can lead to a new understanding, appreciation or route.
GRIEF
Grief is a marker of change. May it be the loss of a relationship, a person, youth or memories passed, it is a measure of true sadness that shows us our love for those things that are now gone. When we don't allow ourselves to grieve properly we are left in the past and therefore, can not enjoy the present.
GUILT
Guilt can be dark and crushing, and make us feel bad or wrong. It can be self inflicted, used on others or used by others as a form of punishment. Guilt allows us to take judgement on ourselves. It is our internal compass to keep us on track and aligned with our own values. When we are able to get clear with guilt we learn to discern between other's truth and our own.
SHAME
We all face shame. It's deep. It's dark, it's grim. It makes you feel inferior and small. In shame we believe the worst of ourselves, and we believe others have the same opinions of us. In shame we disappear into the thought that we are not worthy. Shame is meant to highlight the illusion of our "I'M THE WORST" thinking, and draw us through to realize self-acceptance.
Fear ignites our fight or flight response. Making this more complicated for the modern woman, is the reality of no longer needing to run from tigers or fight off wolves. For a lot of us our unknown wild now looks more like a cryptic text or a teetering bank account. And while our nervous system will ignite in the same way, the source of fear is abstract. Meaning that generally a significant portion of fear we experience is rooted in the past, or future.
We've come to call this anxiety, and it's important that we recognize its origin in fear. It's also important to recognize that our fear triggers are still there to protect and guide, from physical and emotional damage into peace and serenity.
- Fear is a guide to bring us safety, fearlessness and true comfort.
DESIRE
Desire crops up differently for all of us, as we all desire different things and to different extents. Though we'll find that the craving for what we each desire the most, is often felt in the same way. Desire does not let you ignore your need, and often the reaction to mask what you truly seek results in self destruction. Addiction is derived out of a desire, not for substance, but for a deeper connection to love, or purpose, or yourself. While we don't all suffer from addiction, we do all have desires, and a need to pursue them.
- Desire leads to contentment and is here to show us what our soul is craving.
ANGER
Anger is our power. We start learning to weald it at a young age and its reception by the people around us can often dictate whether we suppress or flex. Either way, when anger is misused it is a sign that we are attempting to discover and assert our true value. Many people are stuck in anger, unable to forgive or take action as it can be very difficult to do either. Ultimately anger is leading us and teaching us to take action in grace.
- Anger is our protector and leads in action.
DEPRESSION
Depression forces us to slow down, and take inventory of our lives. It's sinking, and can pull us deep into darkness, sadness and unexplainable apathy. It's most difficult to see this emotion as a positive helper when thoughts of hopelessness and victimization tend to take over. Surrendering to depression and apathy allow us to give up control, which can lead to a new understanding, appreciation or route.
- Depression makes us slow down and take stalk so that we may realize our potential and take direction from the soul.
GRIEF
Grief is a marker of change. May it be the loss of a relationship, a person, youth or memories passed, it is a measure of true sadness that shows us our love for those things that are now gone. When we don't allow ourselves to grieve properly we are left in the past and therefore, can not enjoy the present.
- When we let grief do it's work we're shown what we truly value and can move once again towards becoming whole.
GUILT
Guilt can be dark and crushing, and make us feel bad or wrong. It can be self inflicted, used on others or used by others as a form of punishment. Guilt allows us to take judgement on ourselves. It is our internal compass to keep us on track and aligned with our own values. When we are able to get clear with guilt we learn to discern between other's truth and our own.
- When we have gone astray guilt guides us back towards being our truest Self. When we are lead astray awareness of guilt inflicted, allows us to stay true to ourselves.
SHAME
We all face shame. It's deep. It's dark, it's grim. It makes you feel inferior and small. In shame we believe the worst of ourselves, and we believe others have the same opinions of us. In shame we disappear into the thought that we are not worthy. Shame is meant to highlight the illusion of our "I'M THE WORST" thinking, and draw us through to realize self-acceptance.
- Shame is here to teach us the value and need for a raised self-esteem, and the power of self-love.