The Art of “Transforming” Emotions
Being in grip of a negative emotion is like falling down a slippery slope. You may cajole yourself as much as you want with responses like,
…“Get rid of negative emotions”
…“Let go off negative emotions”
…“Fill up with positive emotions”
…“Don’t be <negative emotion>” — angry , jealous, etc
but, you are not in control. You keep slipping down and down and down the slope.
And if you think about it, posing something positive in front of a negative emotion, is like trying to control your fall when slipping down. You fall down harder.
Positive affirmations, at such times when you are in grip of negative emotions, are obvious reactions of denial.
Yes denial… really… Think about it.
No evolution of any sorts happens with such affirmations.
No skill involved.
They are just pure reactions.
And…
… “Even if I somehow manage to get it in control this time, what will happen next time?” fears the heart…
Right?
What can you do then?
Is there no way out of negative emotions?
Here is a revolutionary approach —
Learn to “Transform” emotions.
The catch word is “Transform”
There is a shift…
… instead of getting rid of anger, you explore possibility of transforming anger into alertness.
… instead of getting rid of jealousy, you explore possibility of transforming jealousy into generosity or gratitude.
An emotion is a powerful state of energy which cannot be stopped by mind. So “Don’t be angry” will actually make you more angry.
But emotions do get transformed.
Take this straight forward example…
… if you try to block anger, it will get transformed into frustration or more anger.
Energy can be transformed.
“Transforming emotions” is the most scientific way of dealing with emotions.
Understanding this shift from “getting rid / do this / do that” to “transformation” is the key…
But the real question is — Can a negative emotion be transformed into it’s positive counterpart?
Yes it can be. The skill involved in doing so is called Meditation…
…a conscious non-effort that will help you transform a negative emotion into its positive counter part.
Why meditation? Why not gym, running or a punching bag?
Well…
… that will take us to technicality of things.
But that’s just too many concepts already.
This technicality can be a topic for a future article.
Let’s get into some action first.
Here is a meditation you can try right away to transform emotions.
It is called “Transforming Emotions” by Gurudev Sri Sri RaviShankar,
How did you feel ?
Share your experience.
Was there a transformation?
