emotion
The emotions are an essential addaptive activity of our psyche.
They play a critical role in our survival, judgement, and
perpetuation of the species. The add significantly the human
experience. In fact, they are the primary experience of the
human experience. However, emotional imbalance can endanger a
person or cause illness and unhappiness.
In Chinese philosophy, the emotions are deeply respected. Effort
is made to maintain emotional balance. The emotions are allowed
to play themselves out, but not to dominate our lives and become
obsessions or addictions.
There is a higher energy known as Shen, which naturally rules
our lives, but if we lose our emotional balance (which we all do
from time to time), then the ego and the various emotions
compete for dominance and Shen withdraws and becomes hidden.
The Chinese have always associated the emotions directly and
intimately with the organs. They do not perceive of the emotions
as being stuck in the brain as we do in the West. Asian
philosophers link the emotions to each organ and have developed
incredibly deep theories of psychology based on these
relationships.
In Chinese health philosophy, each organ system manifests a
range of emotions. Thus in Asia, the state of mind and the state
of one’s body are intimately connected. Of course, in the
West, it is understood that certain physiological conditions can
influence the mind. But to a very significant degree, mental and
emotional disorders are not connected to specific organs or
organic functions, but are believed to be wholly centered in the
brain. No one can deny that Asian people have studied the human
mind in tremendous depth. The profound teachings of Buddhism,
which include Zen, Tantric and many other forms, as well as the
Daoist and Confucian teachings, have had profound influence on
the entire world.
Fundamentally, the Chinese associated the emotions and related
mental states to the five elements and to the organs associated
with them. In general, the emotions are related to the Yin organ
associated with each element.
Shen, the guiding spirit, resides within the heart
The classics say:
"The Heart is the Supreme Master of the organs and is the
home of Shen, the Spirit. If the Master is brilliant, his
subjects are peaceful. If the Master is disturbed, his twelve
officials are endangered."
Shen is the spiritual aspect of a human being. Shen presides
over the emotions, allowing them to manifest appropriately, but
overriding them when they are not appropriate. When Shen rules,
the oneness of all things becomes sublimely clear and duality
becomes an obvious illusion. One can see the whole picture--both
sides of every issue and of every story. Yin is seen in Yang,
and Yang is seen in Yin. Good is seen in bad, and bad is seen in
good. No dualistic position is absolute, and therefore
tolerance, compassion and patience become the guiding spirit of
one's life.
When Shen is "shaky" or "disturbed" any
emotion can become dominant. Frequently, the person will
experience agitation, nervousness, heart palpitations, insomnia,
dizziness and fainting spells, uncontrolled laughter and grief
(often occurring only moments apart), hysteria, deep sadness,
fright, and mumbling to oneself.
Through breathing we can master the emotions
There is a deep connection between breathing and one's emotional
state. The masters of every tradition in the Orient have always
taught that through breath control we can master our emotions,
the mastery of which is basic to our health and happiness.
However, if we have not developed the power to control our
breathing, we will remain at the mercy of our lower selves.
When we are under stress or when immediate problems arise, our
emotions instantly influence how we breathe. For example,
· When we are angry, our breathing becomes rough.
· When we are worried or depressed, our breathing becomes
shallow.
· When we are fearful, our breath becomes frozen.
· When we are in disagreement, we take short breaths.
· When we are frightened or surprised the power of the breath
goes into our inhalation.
Indeed, the emotions and breathing are one. The art of
maintaining one's composure under stress, then, is accomplished
through the practice of controlled deep breathing. Even when we
become overwhelmed by anger or fear, or become depressed and
sad, if the breathing is kept calm and long, then even the most
powerful emotion will quickly subside.
It is for this reason that the meditative and yogic techniques
of the East all train the student of life the art of deep
breathing. By practicing proper breathing, habits are formed
which will be retained in emergencies, the emotions can be
controlled and the higher self, Shen, will be in charge. All
forms of Zen breathing, Daoist breathing, etc. are methods of
training the breath so that the practicer can maintain their
tranquillity even under great adversity, as well as through the
routine difficulties of daily life.
The Lungs are the Seat of Wisdom
Wisdom is said to derive from the Lungs. Cosmologically the
Lungs are associated with the Metal element. The Metal element
is associated with the ability to let go of the old while
learning the lessons, or, in other words, extracting the essence
contained within experiences. Throughout life we are required to
face a never-ending set of circumstances from which we can learn
the lessons of life. But many people become stuck in the emotion
of the actual experience and instead of learning the lessons,
become locked in the past. As emotions become habitual, they
begin to rule our lives and Shen loses its power. In effect, we
become addicted to certain emotional responses and respond
throughout our lives like a broken record.
Deep breathing is the tool of the masters for letting go of old
attachments and old emotions, and for extracting the wisdom
hidden within the experiences of life. In learning these
lessons, we grow and evolve. Eventually, those who have learned
the art of letting go and extracting the wisdom hidden within
each experience will become profoundly wise. Thus the Lungs are
said to be the seat of wisdom.
The Kidneys give us Will and Courage
When the Kidneys are full of Qi, the body and mind naturally
feel a sense of self-confidence and courage. Then the Will to
live is strong and the future seems bright. We automatically
sense that we have abundant reserves of energy and know that to
a large degree we are safe.
If the Kidneys are weakened and depleted by stress or other
factors, the body-mind senses this as well and becomes fearful
and paranoid. We know that the reserves are short and that
another emergency or depleting situation might cause permanent
damage or even death. And from the opposite perspective, chronic
fear will deplete the Kidney, resulting in other signs and
symptoms of Kidney deficiency.
The Liver manifests as creativity, ambition, motivation and the
"will to become"
When the Liver is balanced, Qi flows smoothly and a person will
naturally be able to express ideas creatively. Creativity itself
is a manifestation of the Liver energy. Liver is associated with
the Wood element, which is associated with expansive energy.
Ambition and drive are also manifestations of the Liver energy.
A person with a healthy Liver will have a well balanced urge to
grow and develop, and will feel happily and energetically
motivated. This is known in Chinese lexicon as the "will to
become." The "will to become" is the will to live
and to evolve. Lacking this "will to become," one will
become depressed and lethargic. Depression and lethargy are
clear signs that the Liver is not functioning properly.
The creative energy of the Liver manifests most fully at the
early stage of new cycles, when a person's energy is fully
charged and the future seems unlimited. The
"honeymoon" of a relationship is just such a period
that would be governed by the energies of the Liver.
Anger damages the Liver
Blockage of the Liver energy usually results as a blockage of
one's creativity, or the ability to express it. This inability
to express one's creativity results in frustration. Since our
society forces most people to suppress much of their natural
creativity, most people build up Liver tension and frustration.
If this frustration builds, eventually the energy turns to anger
and rage. It is very difficult to suppress anger, which is an
explosively powerful emotion, and eventually anger will manifest
in one way or another. Anger is not always, or even usually,
directed at the cause of the anger. People most often vent their
anger in directions that will put up little resistance.
Anger should not be suppressed, but it should not be allowed to
grow out of control either. Uncontrolled venting of one's anger
will further damage the Liver. By regulating the Liver energy,
it is actually possible to dissipate and dissolve old anger and
to rise above the things that generate anger. It is very
important to regulate the live and to dissolve old anger and
resentment because carrying this emotional energy around
constantly distorts one's entire life.
Anger often results in what is known as restrained Liver Qi,
which will manifest as tightness in the ribs and cold hands and
feet. The Liver does not allow the Qi to spread smoothly and
thus the circulation to the hands and feet is insufficient.
Excessive ambition can damage the Liver because it can result in
frustration and anger. Excessive desire of any sort will result
in frustration because by the very nature of this world, desires
beyond attainability will result in frustration and depression.
For this reason all the great spiritual traditions caution their
followers against harboring excessive desire and ambition.
The Oriental people also consider the Liver to play an important
role in one's courage. Although the Kidney influences courage by
providing the raw hormonal power to the system, the Liver
influences courage by generating raw animal desire and power
along with the human capacity for intelligent planning and
decision-making.
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