[NOTES] Emotions: An Indian perspective

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3705675/

graph TD
    A[Desires] --> B[Emotions]
    B --> C[Desires<br>Attachments]
    C --> D[Ahamkara with<br>External World]
    D --> E[Imperfection<br>Incompleteness<br>Non-fulfillment]
    E --> A

According to Patanjali’s Yoga Shastra, suffering is due to ignorance about one’s true “self” (avidya).

graph LR
  A[Emotions] --> B[Cognitive]
  A --> C[Physiological]

graph LR
  A[Feeling/Affect] --> B[Experience]

graph LR
  A[External World] <--> B[Ego]
  B -.-> C[Emotions/Experience]
  C --> D[Action]

All emotions spring from desires and desire is caused by a sense of imperfection, incompleteness or non-fulfillment felt within oneself. The stronger the desire, the stronger would be the emotional experience.

Emotions are basically seen as virtue but allowing them to interfere with one’s judgment and awareness is considered a weakness. Emotions are seen as modification of desire or attachment. It is suggested that if one wants to overcome the overwhelming emotional experiences like anger and sorrow, one must locate the desire underlying it and then eliminate it.

According to Patanjali’s Yoga Shastra, suffering is due to ignorance about one’s true “Self” (avidya). Ignorance leads to misperception. Individuals develop a false sense of ego by identifying themselves with things/objects around them. The desires, with this ego attachment, become stronger. This ego attachment, attraction, and repulsion are termed affliction (Klesas). The misperception lies in the acceptance of external objects as the true self. This produces a false view of reality. In this sense, suffering/dukha arises from within and not from the outside world.

Glossary

Gunas:

satva, rajas, tamas

Sukha:

pleasure

Dukha:

pain/unhappiness

Krodha:

anger

Asuya:

jealousy

Sukha:

happiness

Lobha:

greed

Avidya:

one’s true “Self” (What’s the difference with atman?)

Klesas:

Affliction

New words

upheavals:

sudden or violent changes; disruptions; turmoil (trastornos/alteraciones violentas)

dealt:

past tense of “deal”; to handle, manage, or take action regarding something; to distribute or give out; to be concerned with or about something

relish:

to enjoy or take great pleasure in something; to appreciate or savor an experience; a strong liking or enthusiasm for something (disfrutar/saborear)

appraisal:

the act of assessing or evaluating something; a formal evaluation or assessment of the value, quality, or performance of something (evaluación/valoración)

Sheath:

a close-fitting cover or case, especially for a blade or sword; a protective covering or enclosure; in anatomy, a layer of tissue that surrounds and protects an organ or structure (vaina/funda)

Greed:

an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food; excessive or insatiable appetite for acquiring or possessing more than one needs or deserves (avaricia/codicia)

Sorrows:

feelings of deep distress or sadness caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune; grief or regret; mental suffering or pain (penas/tristezas)