Emotion is the relation between feeling and thought. In other words, when feeling is encountered and is subjected to mental consideration and the reaction is radiated into the astral body, 'emotion' is generated. This process may proceed consciously and deliberately and thus with a somewhat retarded and discriminative effect, as for instance when savouring the palatability of food. The more usual occurrence, however, is that the procedure is largely automatic, with the reaction instantly flashing from the sensed area to the brain, and from there to the emotional body. An example of the latter is where physical harm is suffered, followed by an immediate chain of reaction, ranging from a feeling of pain, followed perhaps by rage or fear, or a combination of these effects.
Emotion may also evoke desire. When the mind recognizes the feeling produced in the astral body, and the resulting emotion is pleasurable, then desire for the continuance or repetition is created. If on the other hand the sensation is painful, then the mental reaction would be for desisting the causal agency.
Through the presentation of facts the mind may succeed in subduing emotions. So often the problem is how to induce the individual under emotional stress to summon his mental powers, which would enable him to assess the situation and to subject it to calm and dispassionate scrutiny.Health conditions may be seriously affected by emotional attitudes. This is because man's vital body is still primarily governed and swept into activity by his emotional vehicle. When the latter becomes violently agitated and is for instance disturbed by excessive temper, intense worry or other continuous irritation, then a stream of emotional energy will be poured into the etheric body, galvanizing such centres as the solar plexus into intense activity. This will be reflected in the endocrine and nervous systems, as well as in the blood stream, causing indigestion, biliousness, other gastric disturbances, or headaches and related complaints. Similarly bitterness, disgust, hatred, or a sense of frustration, are apt to induce many of the prevalent toxic conditions of the physical system, evoking a general state of ill health. Or ideals may have exceeded accomplishments, leading to frustration and suffering.
The cure for many of these conditions lies in the simple word acceptance — that is the positive attitude of accepting conditions which, notwithstanding our best efforts, seem to be unavoidable — but with the determination to bring the emotions under closer control, and to do better next time...READ MORE ...
