We humans are complex beings. There are a whole host of variables that make us what we are. Of these variables, the one that tends to be criticized the most is our emotions. In fact, many people seem to believe that, if we could strip away our emotions, we could be perfect beings.
Religions constantly warn us about "sins of the flesh". While it's certainly true that their emphasis is on actions, the impetus for these so-called carnal behaviors comes from our emotional selves. People don't engage in gluttony, avarice or 24/7 sexual pursuits unless they are spurred to activity by base emotional needs and desires.
On the other side of the pond, many believers in Eastern philosophies (Taoism included) tend to treat emotions with the same suspicion. We are urged to move beyond emotion to a place of emptiness to find nirvana or tranquility. In this vein, emotions are viewed as obstacles in our way to self-enlightenment.
For me, neither thought system does adequate justice to our emotions. Our emotional selves are not the enemy; they are part and parcel of being fully human. In fact, emotions are part of our individual paths -- they are integral to our way.
While Taoistic thought sometimes gives a short shrift to our emotional makeup, I think it comes closest to acknowledging it has equal footing with all our other human aspects. The chief mantra of Taoism is balance or harmony and our emotions are important facets in obtaining this end.
The key simply is not to allow our emotional states to overrule other variables. If a person is forever negative -- hateful, violent, and self-loathing -- then positive opportunities may come knocking at our door, but we miss them because we are blinded. Just the same, a person who is forever positive -- loving, kind, gentle and filled with self-worth -- may overlook genuine dangers strewn in our path.
More importantly, emotions are what provide us with the delectable flavor that we call life on planet earth. A person devoid of emotion can't revel in the ecstasy of poetry, art and music or learn from the seemingly unstoppable pain of mistakes and misfortune.
In essence, we are what we are because we laugh and we cry.
Religions constantly warn us about "sins of the flesh". While it's certainly true that their emphasis is on actions, the impetus for these so-called carnal behaviors comes from our emotional selves. People don't engage in gluttony, avarice or 24/7 sexual pursuits unless they are spurred to activity by base emotional needs and desires.
On the other side of the pond, many believers in Eastern philosophies (Taoism included) tend to treat emotions with the same suspicion. We are urged to move beyond emotion to a place of emptiness to find nirvana or tranquility. In this vein, emotions are viewed as obstacles in our way to self-enlightenment.
For me, neither thought system does adequate justice to our emotions. Our emotional selves are not the enemy; they are part and parcel of being fully human. In fact, emotions are part of our individual paths -- they are integral to our way.
While Taoistic thought sometimes gives a short shrift to our emotional makeup, I think it comes closest to acknowledging it has equal footing with all our other human aspects. The chief mantra of Taoism is balance or harmony and our emotions are important facets in obtaining this end.
The key simply is not to allow our emotional states to overrule other variables. If a person is forever negative -- hateful, violent, and self-loathing -- then positive opportunities may come knocking at our door, but we miss them because we are blinded. Just the same, a person who is forever positive -- loving, kind, gentle and filled with self-worth -- may overlook genuine dangers strewn in our path.
More importantly, emotions are what provide us with the delectable flavor that we call life on planet earth. A person devoid of emotion can't revel in the ecstasy of poetry, art and music or learn from the seemingly unstoppable pain of mistakes and misfortune.
In essence, we are what we are because we laugh and we cry.
Emotion - for me - is my greatest enemy. It is what stops me from being what and how I would like most to be.
ReplyDeleteTaoism discourages emotion for a very valid reason: as long as emotion has free rein, we are unable to join in one-ness.
Within the void - where all taoists prefer to dwell - there can be no emotion.
I am a very emotional being, by default, but having learned to suspend emotion, I am able to journey very much further than I was before.
Although I see emotion as my enemy, as the Bible says: Love thine enemy. And I do. But I choose not to associate with it when I wish to enter the void.
I don't find the void to lack emotion at all. Always kinda gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you just aren't talking to the right part of it. ;^)
Taoism isn't about nothing, it's about everything. Emotions take you on highs and lows, like ocean waves. Relax and enjoy the ride. Any effort to hold the ocean still is futile.
ReplyDeleteRight on, ASpieboy!
ReplyDelete