Feelings and 3 Natural Paths to a Happier State

What do we understand about feelings? What are emotions? What are sensations? and What is meant by Happiness and how can we be happier?

Word Meaning for Feelings and Emotions

Merriam-webster dictionary describes emotion as a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation. There are many synonyms mentioned. We have picked some that are of interest to dissect and understand emotions better. Some of these are feelings, perception, sensation, and perspective. You may like to read about the difference between perspective and perceptions.

Wikipedia describes Emotions as mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming or NLP, we often use the term mental states to define our emotional state. There are plenty of techniques in NLP for state management and behavioral change.

Through studies, bodily maps of emotions have been created.

Eastern Perspective on Feelings and Emotions

In Indian Culture, Vedic knowledge especially Vedant is considered the essence of the scriptures. The concept of “sarira trayam” or the concept of 3 bodies describes the human personality as physical, subtle, and causal bodies. The 3 bodies are:

1. The physical body that we see can see and touch.
2. The causal body is what makes us unique and the reason we are born
3. The subtle body is the instrument of experiences in life.

The real Universal Self or Atman is considered different from the 3 bodies.

The Subtle body or the instrument of experience is composed of 3 layers

1. The Physiological Layer (prana kosa)
2. The Emotional Layer(manomaya kosa), and
3. The Thinking/Thought Layer ( Vigyanmaya kosa).

From this perspective what we experience through these subtle layers are

1. Physical sensations or what we can call sensations
2. Mental sensations or what we call emotions
3. Thought Currents (Vritti’s) or thoughts.

We can improve our understanding of sensations, emotions, and thoughts through the practice of simple awareness exercises, and meditation.

In Vipassana Meditation we are expected to observe the temporary nature of all sensations, bodily and mental. With practice, the sensations become subtler and subtler until all the bodily sensations eventually disappear. Like Vipassana, Mindfulness is another practice, that comes from Buddhism wherein we keep our attention within even when we are busy in an activity that needs attention to be outside.

3 Natural Paths that Influence Our State

Although the words feelings and emotions are used interchangeably. We will now look at the natural factors that influence our state which includes the state of happiness. Let’s start with the word meaning and dive deeper into the eastern perspective background and experiential learning through meditation practice.

Sensations, Emotions, and Thoughts

• The word ‘feeling’ is derived from the verb ‘to feel’.
• We experience feelings in the mind and body.
• Feelings experienced in the body mean anything that can be experienced as color/sight, sound/vibrations, touch, taste, or smell. It would be easier to understand if we can simply call them physical sensations, bodily sensations, or sensory perceptions.
• The word ‘emotion’ is used to describe the thought patterns or mental sensations or the mental state.
• Happy, Sad, Fear, Disgust, Anger, and Surprise are labels given to the 6 basic types of emotions we experience. As such they are just words or thoughts.
• Every emotion has an associated pattern of physical and mental sensations in the body. We feel emotion when we experience it.
• Emotions are usually an autonomous experience.
• Emotions can also be triggered experiences like when vividly recalling an event from our memory where we felt an emotion.
• Many times we are unable to describe the way we feel because we do not have a word for it.
• We may best describe our state in terms of what we feel, and where we feel it in our body and mind.
• When we express how we feel, we may describe how we feel in our body, mind, or both.

Although, feelings and emotions are being used interchangeably, understanding our experience as in the body, in the mind, and as thought helps us to bring about change at these levels. It creates a sort of disassociation with the 3 powerful forces within us, lowering their hold whether out of pleasure or displeasure.

Launchpad for State Changes – Emotional Awareness

Many people are not much aware of their emotional states. Even if they are somewhat aware they may not pay much attention to the emotion or bodily sensations; They may feel out of sorts but do not understand the reason for the emotions or sensations.

If we become aware of our sensations and emotions, we can choose to

1. Let them pass without interference. (Develop Equanimity)
2. Analyze them to understand the cause. (Identify Triggers if any)
3. Decide to do something that may just change our mental state to a more positive one. (Change State)

Emotion of Happiness

The word Happiness is a noun and it is synonyms with words like contentment, pleasure, satisfaction, enjoyment, high spirit, and many more. It is an emotional state of being where we feel good about ourselves and the world around us.

• One feels HAPPY when one experiences Positive Emotions. A person in the most challenging of situations may be in a happy state, whereas a person in the most comfortable surroundings may be feeling sad.
• Most of us seek out environments, situations, and objects that can invoke the mental states that give us a sense of happiness. In these scenarios that we seek, we derive some happiness in the form of sense gratifications; may be good food, music, ambiance or nature, sports, and perfumes.

We love happiness so much that we seek pleasure, satisfaction, and enjoyment all the time.

To have lasting happiness we need to discover our true nature. To be happier we need to focus on all-around personal development and Holistic Wellness.

Use Sensations, Emotions, and Thoughts to induce a Happier state.

Physical triggers affect emotions and emotions affect physical sensations.

Emotions Trigger Physical Responses

When we say “I am feeling happy today!, we may notice some physical changes in our body like a smile on the face. In this case “happy” represents the emotional state, and this “feeling” is the sensory perception that the body experiences and the “smile” are one of the easily noticeable responses at the body level. Emotions can trigger the senses and induce positive mental states.  

Writing daily in a gratitude journal can change the emotional state, and improve the feeling of happiness.

Sensory Impulse Trigger Change In Emotions

Similarly desirable sensory inputs can induce positive emotions, for example, picturesque surroundings generally trigger a sense of well-being.  Hence emotions and feelings are connected and can influence each other.

Walking in nature, physical exercise, aroma therapy, etc can induce a happier emotional state.

Positive/Happy Thoughts Trigger Positive Emotional States

As we can see that the Body and Mind are connected.

Our mental and physical health depends on the Emotions we carry. Positive Emotions highly impact various aspects of our health. Instead of being in the grip of our emotions and swaying with the emotions.

Positive Affirmations and incantations can help trigger a happier state of being.

What if we were able to maintain empowering emotional state at all times? Firstly we need to be aware of our emotional state.