Yogic View on Emotions
The science of anatomy states that emotions are a production of our brain and our mind. An emotion arises simply for the sake of survival. An emotion is a short-lived mental fluctuation, but when we start to identify with that emotion it becomes a feeling or a mood, a longer lasting modification of the mind.
In yoga emotions are described as vrittis, “waves” or “ripples” that can disturb the otherwise calm mind. The practice of yoga and meditation focuses on calming these waves in order to return the mind to a calm state. In yoga it is considered essential to silence the fluctuations of the mind in order to reunite oneself with a state of universal consciousness.
Yoga theory states that we experience emotions because of a resonance with a certain energy. If we do not have the energy of a certain emotion, we cannot have that emotion. In contrast, if we stay too long in an emotion, we build up resonance with it and support it.
We resonate with the macrocosm (universe) through the chakras of our microcosm (individual self). Each chakra has a resonance with certain emotions or states. If we are tuned into the energy of svadhistana (the second chakra) for example, we may experience feelings such as suspicion, creativity, jealousy, or confusion. Whereas if we tune into the resonance of manipura chakra (the third chakra), we may feel anger, courage, pride or passion. Each chakra has a variety of attributes. We can tune into the positive attributes to bring about desired change in our lives, but they are still vrittis clouding our connection with the ultimate. Even excess of a positive emotion is not desirable. Identifying too much with any type of emotional life prevents us from seeing who we really are.
We do have a choice in this process. This is where meditation comes in. Meditation and spiritual practice help us to differentiate between who we really are and what is ephemeral. Things change from day to day; one day we are joyful, another bored – this is not us, it is something that is not eternal.
In Yoga we know we are not that emotion, We can manifest the emotion if we want, but ultimately we know we are not that.
Why Do We Get Stuck In Negative Emotions?
Yoga theory states that there are two main reasons why we remain stuck in negative emotions.
The first is Samskaras, or karmic knots. These are tendencies which have been carried over from past lives or conditioning formed in this lifetime. Negative emotional tendencies form as a response to trauma or loss. Everytime we act from these tendencies we reinforce them.
The second cause for negative emotional patterns is due to disturbances of prana, or vital life force, in the system. This can be low prana, an imbalance of prana, blockage of prana, or impurities in the system which alter the flow of prana. Yoga techniques help to restore and correct the flow of prana in the body which helps change our emotional patterns.
Changing Emotional Patterns
In addition to the steps outlined in “How to Take Control Over Your Emotions.” here are some yoga techniques for dealing with emotions.
Label the Emotion
This techniques is not limited to yoga, but it is an essential one. When you are caught up in an emotion, identify it and call it what it is, be it fear, anger, or any other undesiable emotion. By labeling the emotion you diminish the reactivity in the brain. This is the first step that allows you to take a step out of that emotion and create space to create a new response. When we react from a place of anger, fear, or another negative emotions, the mind is not clear enough to find the best solution.
Cultivate More Positive Emotions
When it comes to dealing with emotions, there is a need to cultivate positive emotions, especially in times of turmoil. Cultivating positive emotions does not mean we stop trying to dis-identify from our emotions. We can foster these more desirable emotions and still know the emotions are not who we really are. Emotions give life flavour, emotions are part of our human existence, and in tantric yoga all of this existence is embraced, we just don’t over identify with the emotions.
It is neither quick nor easy to stop identifying with emotions, it is a gradual, ongoing process. An important step is to change your particular “moodset”. Our default emotions are, in a way, programmed into our brain, but we can change these neural connections through conscious effort. By building up new positive neural connections over time, it will become easier and easier to enjoy more positive emotions. In the future, instead of reacting with anger, the default emotion can become love.
Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutras “In the face of negativity, one should cultivate the opposite view.” A type of emotional role playing is a technique that can be used to foster the positive emotions. Ancient Indian art forms including painting, drama, and dance use emotive portrayals to express the different colours of life. The term rasa which is used to describe the 9 major emotions of Indian art translates as “juice” or “essence”. Rasa is the essence of our emotions that exist in both body and mind.
The 9 rasas or basic emotions are:
Love – Shringara
Joy – Hasya
Wonder – Adbhuta
Courage – Verrya
Calmness – Shanta
Anger – Raudra
Sadness – Karuna
Fear – Bhayanaka
Disgust – Vibhatsa
Rasa Sadhana can be described as “emotional fasting”. For a certain period of time, be it a day, a week, or longer, one does not get involved with the less desirable rasas or focuses fully on one of the more agreeable rasas. If fear arises, be aware of it, shut it off, and cultivate a more desirable rasa such as courage.
We can build emotions at will. Playing the role of an emotion sends the same neurotransmitters throughout the nervous system as when we have an automatic emotional reaction. When we practice emotions we can change the quality of our emotional body. Eventually reactions will change, and we will suffer less from negative emotions. Of course changing our emotional reactions takes a lot of dedication and will power. It is not likely that we can instantaneously switch from anger to love. First, we must keep enough awareness to “shut off” the anger in order to create space to change the pattern and cultivate love instead.
Exercise Your Witness Consciousness
When an emotion arises ask yourself “Who is angry?” Find the one inside who is watching. This creates the space needed for you to stop identifying with your emotional personality, even for just a moment. When you realize there is a witness, you can see that you are not your emotions but instead the one who is watching yourself react to those emotions. The more often we can make the switch from a normal state of mind to the witness consciousness, the easier it will be to change undesirable emotional patterns.
Practice Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation is the best practice for increasing awareness of arising thoughts and emotions. Emotions and other modifications of the mind are noted, but not reacted to. This allows us to keep a constant awareness that we are not the mind; emotions are like clouds on the sky of our minds. When an emotional reaction takes place, treat it as if it were a cloud passing through the sky of your consciousness. Any mindful meditation from any tradition is helpful.
Use Breath to Balance the Hemispheres of the Brain and Calm the Mind
Nadi shodana pranayama (otherwise know as alternate nostril breathing), is a technique that helps balance both sides of the brain and change the body chemistry. Start with 5 minutes of this practice a day and build up from there.
Nadi shodana pranayama is done in a comfortable seated position with the spine straight. Start by closing your eyes and using a finger to press down on the right nostril in order to close it, breathe in through the left nostril. Hold the breath as long as it is comfortable, then release the right nostril and press down on the left nostril to exhale through the right. Inhale through the right nostril, hold the breath, then press down on the right nostril and exhale through the left. Continue in this way, and end your rounds with an exhalation through the left nostril.
Ideally use the hand mudra that goes with this pranayama. Take your right hand and place the tips of the index and middle fingers between the eyebrows. Place your thumb on the right nostril and your ring finger on the left nostril. Use your thumb to open and close the right nostril and your ring finger to open and close the left. Rest the left hand on your knee with the palm facing upward.
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White Tara
Try a Deity Practice for Cultivating Positive Emotions
Deity practice is a technique from Tibetan Buddhism. This is a form of tantra where one imagines they are a being who is already awakened. Familiarize yourself with the qualities of a chosen deity and visualize the body of the deity as clear as possible. By imagining oneself as an enlightened deity, negative emotional states can be reduced and qualities such as compassion, mercy and unconditional love can be cultivated. It will also make one feel less destined to react to to the frustrations and disappointments of life. Common deities for this practice include Tara, Amitabha, and Avalokiteshvara. This practice should be done from a deep meditative state where the mind is already empty.
“If you are distressed by anything external [or internal], the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” ~Marcus Aurelius
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