Previous Weekly Messages

My Dear Ones,

Emotions can be very powerful. On one hand, they can lead us to the highest level of sensual excitement and joyful experience of spiritual bliss. On the other, they can lead us to the madness of intense anger, the bitter feelings of deep hatred and the suicidal feelings of extreme despair. Such is the human experience.

I remember, in my childhood days, being aware of this fluctuating nature of emotions and of observing it with great interest. In my early adulthood, I struggled with controlling it and this is what led me on the spiritual journey. I believe that managing emotions should be taught in our educational institutions from as early as we are capable of understanding it. How much pain we would avoid from the many relationships we destroy through ignorance!

Managing emotions is no easy task. I have seen how difficult it is for people to shift even when they have the best of intentions. Sometimes the undesirable emotion can be so strong that the knowing intellect becomes powerless. Mind and body suffer as a result. The light of the spirit completely disappears. What a sad sight it is! How do we deal with such strong emotions?

Being aware of the presence of the undesirable emotion and its effect is the first step. Sometimes we are so caught up in emotions that we unconsciously embrace them though they are destructive to our well-being. We need to always be watchful of what emotions do to our entire being. How do they affect my mind, body and spirit? Do they make my mind restless and depressed? Do they affect the vitality of my body? Do they suppress spiritual feelings of love, peace and joy?

Our awareness of emotions is heightened during self-reflection and meditation as we centre ourselves in the position of the observer. Here we can identify emotions that arise and even replay emotional situations that we have experienced. We can contemplate the effect of these emotions on our well-being and also explore ways to transform undesirable ones. We can create our plans on how to act mentally and use affirmations to strengthen our mind for the future. The stronger we are in this practice, the more aware we are likely to be during the actual bout of undesirable emotion.

If undesirable emotions are overwhelming and we are unable to transform them on our own, we need to seek help. Those who are more emotionally positive and strong can help to inspire us with their presence and wisdom. Conversing with them can lift us to a better inner space and help us to explore solutions to our crisis. We need to work with those whom we can understand and trust. Choosing the right person is important. Those who live in more inner light are the best to work with. Those who live in inner light are the ones who live in the peace, love and wisdom of the spirit and whose outer lives reflect this.

Only practice can help us to develop this skill. Emotions can transform our lives in wonderful ways if we learn to manage them and use them appropriately. Let us endeavour to learn this skill now!


Yours in loving service,
Vasudeva