Debate on what "emotions actually are"

Hi Futuremind -
You ask a major question - are you ready for a lecture?
I found this definition of emotion: "A mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a feeling."

While I agree that emotions are accompanied by physiological changes (which is significant considering health issues), I don't think that emotions arise "spontaneously" without conscious effort. Emotions are energy - positive or negative. Ideally, we would feel mostly positive, or enjoyable emotions that contribute to health. So, why isn't that always the case?

Our brains process everything - even physical touch. Therefore, emotions are based on thoughts. Thoughts come before emotion, which is encouraging because you can learn to control your thoughts.

BTW - I believe that life continues after death & then feeling/sensing is the primary way of experience.

i think it may be the response of your emotional quotient foe the time period it can change with respect to time and situations.
it totally different with person to person and his emotional strong and toughness of mind.

emotions are feelings. they are electrical signals sent throughout our nervous system from the brain. which we call feelings. and feelings come from what we think. so emotions are our reactions caused by our thinking pattern. they are just energy patterns going on in our body, which when we feel name as anger, jealousy, etc.

thoughts come first, then emotions follow. Emotions feel spontaneous and uncontrollable but we can actually change emotions by changing our thinking. It just takes a lot of work and insight. Even though I know this intellectually, I often have trouble believing it emotionally. Does that make sense to you folks? Any suggestions?

sharonball1 wrote:thoughts come first, then emotions follow. Emotions feel spontaneous and uncontrollable but we can actually change emotions by changing our thinking. It just takes a lot of work and insight. Even though I know this intellectually, I often have trouble believing it emotionally. Does that make sense to you folks? Any suggestions?

Yes, Sharon, I can relate! I've struggled with depression & also stress. It's like I've identified myself with my emotions, out of habit. I used to think that affirmations are the ticket - & I still think they can be helpful, but it's not all. You've probably heard the phrase, "Feelings buried alive never die." I think that's true & sometimes, we just need to feel what we feel, & kindof step back (mentally) & observe our thoughts & feelings without judgment. (ie meditation) For me, I can do this best when I go off by myself in nature for a while. I'm still working on this but I have noticed that when I can observe myself in an accepting way, I can see more clearly how to correct my thoughts & behavior. Nothing happens over night (except maybe hair-fairy hair ). We need to be patient & compassionate with ourselves, step by step.

I think emotions are an insight into the sub-conscious. I think they are a way for your body to express the truths which are just to subtle for you to put into words and make a full sense out of. When you 'know' something but don't know why...it's expressed via an emotion which you might not be able to explain in words but simply feel to be true.

That's my take on it anyway!

Spiderman7488 wrote:I think emotions are an insight into the sub-conscious. I think they are a way for your body to express the truths which are just to subtle for you to put into words and make a full sense out of. When you 'know' something but don't know why...it's expressed via an emotion which you might not be able to explain in words but simply feel to be true.

That's my take on it anyway!

1st off - as soon as I saw that THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN is posting on this forum I had to read it right away!

I think you nailed it - Spidey. It's a different kind of "knowing."

[quote="Motivated"]"Feelings buried alive never die." For me, I can do this best when I go off by myself in nature for a while.

Mother Nature is a great healer, isn't she? Unfortunately, too many of us are too buried in "civilization" and cut off from nature. There was song when I was growing up about "they cut down the trees and put up a parking lot".

futuremindtraining wrote:Hello

I have been having a chat with a friend and been discussing what emotions are

I believe they are a chemical reaction in the brain that triggers a physiological response to move away from pain or pleasure

He argues that emotions are just fear, anger, guilt etc...

Has anybody any other views?

Its just a difference of opinion we have as friendly anter but just to see others views

Well, I think both are correct.

Yours is a clinical definition and your friends' are just examples of emotions.

I beleive our existence can be divided into "three"...we live in a type of triune reality. Christians often refer to a triune god...it is sorta like that...try to stick with me on this...it should all make sense at the end???

When talking about the human psyche, the "individual" is divided into three; The "Id", the Ego, and the Super-ego.

The id is driven by a set of uncoordinated instinctual trends; (The id is closely linked to the body & materialism) For example, when your body is hungry - you eat...when your body is tired - you sleep...(Basic survival instincts - the id is what drives our self preservation instincts.)

The ego is driven by the organized, realistic part; (The ego is closely linked to the mind & thoughts) For instance, rationalism. Weak ego's cause us to make decisions that are not healthy. Strong ego's encourage good choices. People with strong ego's are often thought to be over the top with their attitude (egotistical maniac) when it is, in reality, an abundance of self confidence.

The super-ego drives the critical and moralizing role; (The super-ego is closely linked to the soul & feelings) This is what determines what is right and / or wrong for each of us. The stronger the Super ego the higher the standards become and our thoughts often become more insightful.

The human condition consists of a "body", "mind" and "soul".

The body connects with the id and communicates through tangible stimulation. The body can only exist if there are "thing's" present. Another way to say this...the five sense are how the body communicates and interacts. (A good example of this is locking a person in a room with no windows and nothing inside, gray walls, floor and ceiling. There is no tangible stimulation therefore the body loses connection with reality. It is an effective way to "re-program someone".)

The mind connects with the ego and communicates via the thought process. The mind exists only as long as there are thoughts, thoughts are driven only by external stimulation and then shared through langauge and actionsn - thus it's reliance upon the Id. (By taking away the stimuli, the mind loses connection with the ego since there is no reason to communicate.)

The soul communicates through feelings. It is the only way the soul CAN communicate. It is not reliant upon any tangible stimulation therefore can (and does) exist in a realm by itself. When the soul desires to communicate feelings, it can only do so through emotion. Happy feelings = laughter, sad feelings = tears, anger = violence, love = Hugs & kisses, etc. (Removing stimuli will not stop the soul from feeling sad, or happy, or angry, etc.)

Simply put, if you have read this far, emotions are simply the souls ONLY vehicle of communicating how it "feels" at any given moment.

That's my two cents!