Feelings and Emotions

Impermanence is everywhere, and it’s most apparent in the mind, where torrents of thoughts surge wildly, one after another, without end. Remarkably, we maintain our sanity amidst such chaos, but there are those who, overwhelmed by the turmoil, lose their grip on reality—and eventually, their sanity.

When we pay attention to our minds, we catch fleeting glimpses of our feelings and emotions woven into our thoughts. These brief moments reveal our joy and sorrow, and more broadly, our well-being. However, because we base our well-being on these impermanent feelings and emotions, our state of mind fluctuates with the constant changes in our thoughts, making it difficult to find lasting peace, no matter our circumstances.

It’s crucial to recognise that our feelings and emotions, whether positive or negative, are not reliable anchors in our spiritual practice. Since feelings and emotions inevitably change with time or circumstance, we should not let them define our state of mind or our identity. Otherwise, we become enslaved by them, leading a life far short of its potential.

To put this into practice: when we experience happiness, we should acknowledge it without becoming attached to the emotions, knowing that attachment leads to suffering when things change. Similarly, when we feel sad or depressed, we should recognise these feelings without indulging in them, as doing so can harm our mental well-being. In either case, we should neutralise our emotions so that whatever arises in our minds does not disturb our inner peace. Our mind remains unmoved.

This doesn’t mean we are suppressing our feelings or ignoring them. Rather, it means our emotions do not have to dictate our lives or affect those around us. By maintaining this detachment, we prevent Karma from arising so we can stay true to our spiritual path.