Identifying Errors in Thought
To begin the journey of healing,
we will need to delve into the genetics of our makeup and understand why our heart weeps,
and what we can do to transcend this suffering; both personal and universal.
The human autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts. The Sympathetic,
and the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
House of Suffering
The part of the human psyche that moves us away from love and compassion
towards illwill, disdain,
and aggression is associated to the Sympathetic Nervous System.
Linked to our drive for survival and affiliation, is an insatiable desire to create an
identity for ourselves through striving, acquiring, and achieving.3
Popelled by desire for fruits of our action,
and blinded by pomp, power, property, and prestige, we identify everything as
seperate from us and become destructive to the point of cruelty.
DRIVE AND ATTACHMENT (Rajas).
Research on Attachment
Envy
Envy is a malicious intent which occurs when a person lacks another's superior quality, achievement, or possession, and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it. 1 Envy is a result of us comparing ourselves to others. If you are comparing yourself simply to evaluate similarities and differences as in a case where you are aspiring to emulate the qualities of a positive role model, then the process is life-giving. But if the intent behind the comparison is sadistic in nature than become wary that your consciousness needs to evolve.
Not only is the envious person rendered unhappy by his envy, but they also wish to inflict misfortune on others.2 What makes the habit of comparing so addictive? Society condones it, nearly everyone does it (gossip, persecution, and poisoning the environment for someone are common occurrences), our insecurities fuel it, and the habit is hard to break.3 It takes constant vigilance and mindfulness to break the habit. It is hard work.
When you compare with the belief that you are a failure as when you feel that you do not make enough money, aren't attractive enough, or don't have that certain house or car than you are missing out on all the awesome qualities that you do have. Besides seething in resentment, you fail to discover what the true purpose of your life is.
The experience of envy involves:
- Feelings of inferiority, and shame
- Longing
- Resentment of circumstances and people
- Ill will towards envied person often accompanied by guilt about these feelings
- Motivation to boost your social position or status at the sacrifice of moral values
- Desire to possess the attractive rival's qualities
by Dharmendra Singh
last updated: 2016-01-16
- Parrott, W. G., & Smith, R. H. (1993). "Distinguishing the experiences of envy and jealousy
- Russell, Bertrand (1930). The Conquest of Happiness. New York: H. Liveright.
- The Ecstasy of Surrender, Judith Orloff, M.D.
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Greed
Greed is an excessive desire to acquire, or possess more than one needs. This emotional desire can be for, money, power, or fame. It is an addiction, and just like cocaine and heroin activates neurotransmitters in the brain, so does the fulfillment of our gluttonous desires. However, there is a cruel stigma attached to substance addictions, which is not present in the hoarding of material pursuits. The society that we live in actually condones and applauds excessive material success. As a result, the striving for money and power is often seen as a laudable endevour despite the suffering and damage it causes to the well-being of people, environment, and nature.
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Jealousy
Jealousy is an emotion, and the word typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something, or someone of great personal value.1 This loss can be real or imagined. Particularly in reference to a human connection. Jealousy often consists of a combination of emotions such as anxiety, anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness, powerlessness, and disgust2.
The common experience of jealousy for many people may involve:
- Fear of loss.
- Suspicion of or anger about a perceived betrayal
- Low self-esteem and sadness over perceived loss.
- Uncertainty and loneliness, even in the midst of many people.
- Fear of losing an important person to another.
- Distrust, possessiveness, vulnerability.
by Dharmendra Singh
last updated: 2016-01-16
- Wikipedia
- e-Study Guide for: Psychology Applied to Modern Life
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Loneliness
Loneliness is a complex mental and emotional phenomenon that has at its base in emotions associated with abandonment and codependency 1. But unlike shame, which is a 'Fight or Flight' reaction, loneliness has its roots in 'Drive and Affiliation' related needs.
A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of purpose or meaning in life can be said to be the main contributor to loneliness and feelings of emptiness2. Lack of meaningful relationships in one's life can contribute to feelings of loneliness but only to a certain degree.
The way out of loneliness is to re-infuse meaning and purpose into your life. And you can do that through the practice of Yoga using this application.
A continued sense of emptiness can sometimes lead to depression and apathy,3 where an individual has an absence of interest in, or concern about, emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical and/or physical life and the world.
dharmendra singh
last update: 2016-01-20
References:
- PsycheCentral
- Psychology Today, Randi Kreger
- www.humanillnesses.com
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Melancholy
Melancholy is a feeling of pensive sadness, typically it seems, with no obvious cause. But there is usually a cause. You may not be aware what it is or did not identify the cause as being the trigger.
It could be a dream which you forgot upon waking up, or someones behavior that is now out of the conscious mind. All these can trigger melancholy.
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Reenactment
The act of doing things that keep you in pain even when you have successfully made the transition to love and compassion. You keep doing things that cause you pain because the ego is scared since it used to identify itself through anguish. It is afraid now that its nonexistence will mean death.As a result it keeps doing things that keep it in pain these last days. Eventually it will make the transition.
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Resentment
Holding onto a grudge from the past. Of all the futile and destructive emotions to which human beings are prey, perhaps the most universal is resentment. Surely there can be few people who have not wasted many hours or even years of their life dwelling on the wrongs supposedly done to them. In my experience, people generally spend rather less time dwelling on the wrongs they have done to others.
Since we live in a world of perpetual injustice, everyone supposes he or she has real cause to feel resentful. But the resentment we feel is by no means proportional to its alleged cause.
Resentment rarely goes away on its own, simply because it doesn't produce enough adrenaline for the amphetamine/crash effect of stronger forms of anger. While exhaustion limits the duration of rage, you can stay resentful for years on end. Without the exhaustion factor, the retaliatory fantasies of resentment persist long enough to become habituated. Thus resentment is more of a mood than an emotional state, and the behaviors it motivates are more habit than choice, with disastrous effects on health and well being.
The habitual nature of resentment means that it is never specific to one behavior - nobody resents just one thing - and that its content is rarely forgotten. Instead, each new incident of perceived unfairness automatically links onto previous ones, eventually forging a heavy chain.
The chain of resentment always extends into the distant past. In advanced stages it goes into the future. That's when you hear things like, "It's going all right now, but she'll find some way to screw up the weekend," or, "It's fine at the moment, but the ‘real him' will come out, just wait."
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Research on Anguish
Abandoned
A feeling of being castoff or deserted by others. This leads to a feeling of being unloved combined with feelings of rejection, or social exclusion.
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Abuse
Abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person physically or emotionally.
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Attacked
Someone directing abusive, condescending, and demeaning remarks towards you instead of providing evidence on the subject matter being discussed.
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Cheated
Feeling that violence has been done to expectations of support and the cheating party devalued the relationship and violated the trust.
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Humiliated
Made to feel foolish and disgraced, by being mocked and ridiculed, mostly in public.
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Scorned
Made to feel unworthy and unimportant. Disrespected and made to feel low, through thought, word, or deed.
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Stress
A mentally or emotionally disturbing influence that disrupts the tranquility of the mind on repeated occasions.
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Research on Avarice
Deciept
An intent marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another.
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Falsehood
A quality of not being true or accurate. The act of rendering something false as by fraudulent changes (of documents or measures etc.) or counterfeiting.
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Hypocrisy
Insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have. Behavior that does not agree with what someone claims to believe or feel.
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Selfishness
Stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others. Selfishness is being concerned, sometimes excessively or exclusively, for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others.
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Theft
The act of taking something from someone unlawfully.
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Research on Apathy
Ambivalent
Simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action. Confusing the person. Often times people play sadistic games that harbor such attitudes.
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Numb
Not showing human feeling or sensitivity.
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Uncaring
Lacking affection or warm feeling and without care or thought for another.
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Withdrawn
Not showing or reciprocating emotions. Staying aloof and cold towards other people.
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Research on Annoyed
Disgruntled
In a state of sulky dissatisfaction - ill-humored or discontented.
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Frustrated
Disappointed at not being successful.
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Grim
Causing feelings of sadness or worry : gloomy or depressing.
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Grouchy
Tending to complain about things almost always: having a bad temper.
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Impatient
Restless or short-tempered under delay or when challenged.
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Irked
To bother or annoy someone to the state of being worried or concerned.
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Irritated
Aroused to impatience or anger.
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Research on Vulnerable
Confused
Perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment. Also unable to understand or think clearly.
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Insecure
Not confident about yourself or your ability to do things well : nervous and uncomfortable. Lacking in security or safety.
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Scared
There is a perception of possible danger in the future. This feeling is aroused due to a certain experience based in the past.
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Threatened
Having an uncertain chance of continued survival, as in threat to life.
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Research on Procrastination
Distraction
An obstacle to attention. It can also be something that amuses or entertains you so that you do not think about that which needs your attention.
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Doubt
Lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance. Doubt afflicts the person who does not have faith and can ultimately destroy him or her. Some people think that doubt can sometimes be referred to as having a "healthy skepticism"- a person exploring all options. Not in Yoga. Doubt here means stuck-not skeptical. In the Bhagavad Gita it is the outward visible sign of the inner struggle that Arjuna faced on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna is caught in the grip of a vicious dilemma as he speaks. "Oh Krishna, My limbs sink, my mouth is parched, my body trembles, the hair bristles on my flesh, the magic bow Gandiva, slips from my grip, my skin burns, I cannot stand upright, and my mind reels. Tell me O Lord, what to do."
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Lazy
Lacking in discipline towards work.
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Lethargic
Deficient in alertness or activity, lack of interest in doing things.
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Unmotivated
Not cared to do that which is important and needs to be done as in a persons duty.
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When our desires
are met with frustration, or our opinions and beliefs are challenged,
the heart and mind are hurled into the Fight or Flight zone.
Fight Or Flight Reations(Tamas)
Research on Aversion
Animosity
A deep seated dislike or ill will for someone.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Contempt
It is the feeling that a person, or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Disgust
Disgust is an emotional response of rejection or revulsion to something potentially contagious or something considered offensive, distasteful, or unpleasant.
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Gossip
Addicted gossipers frequently imply by their tone and choice of words that the subject of their gossip is inferior, flawed or simply unworthy of respect. People caught in this trap of gossip consciously or subconsciously parade themselves as the standard of all true knowledge and judgment. They seem driven to search out and speak of the shortcomings and failures of others.
A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others” and “rumor or report of an intimate nature.” If it is about others than it is often laced with poison. If it is about self, than it seeks reassurance and validity that one is recognized and appreciated. As a result 'Gossip' is rooted in a sense of insecurity.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Hate
Hatred (or hate) is a deep and extreme dislike. It can be directed against individuals, groups, entities, objects, behaviors, or ideas. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust and a disposition towards hostility.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Hostility
Hostility is remembered pain, and the desire to get even that results in active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness.
A person who harbours hostility will walk around with energy that is dense, and vibrates at very low frequency. It is
usually difficult to be in the same room with such a person unless you also carry energy that resonates with low frequency.
last updated: 2017-05-30
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Judgemental
Judging is one in which we make unfair conclusions based on limited information about others. Judgmental behavior is a red flag reflecting deeper issues within. It is an unawareness of deep rooted feelings associated with 'Shame'.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Nausea
A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit.
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Rejection
Dismiss someone as inadequate, inappropriate, or not to one's standards. "Get away from me you freakin reject," is a statement that embodies the attributes of rejection. When rejecting someone the intention is to humiliate them by letting them know that they are sub-standard. But in truth, the perpetrator is the one who feels like a reject and is projecting their state of mind onto others so they can feel better about themselves.
Neuroscientists have discovered that the anguish of social rejection registers in
the anterior cingulate cortex, the same part of the brain that processes physical pain.
Your brain responds to rejection much as it does to a punch in the gut. Once hit,
resist cooperating, even if doing so goes against your rational interests,
and attempts to resolve your conflict become far more difficult.1
last updated: 2017-05-30
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Spite
Malicious ill will prompting an urge to hurt or humiliate someone. It can be an offspring of resentment that has not been worked upon.
Usually a person with a bleeding resentment will convince other like minded people to join them in executing vengeance on their behalf
against those that they despise.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Research on Shame
Chagrined
Feeling embarrassed or distressed as a result of a failure. This can lead to a state of vexation if experience that is interpreted as failure continues.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Disconnected
The authentic self goes into hiding. Depending on what is being experienced, the person may shrink and hide away or act in a manner that is grandiose. It may seem that the person is displaying traits of narcissism but in reality the individual is scarred and is trying to act in a grandiose manner to deflect what they perceive others may be thinking of them.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Guilty
It describes the conflict of emotional feelings that a person will have after realizing a wrong action. It does not mean remorse. Remorse requires the willingness to make amends. Sometimes it takes a lifetime for people to get from guilt to remorse.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Helpless
Inability to manage, direct, or empower oneself and unable to act or react to a negative situation. A person believes that they have no control over what is happening or what their situation is.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Inadequate
A personality disturbance characterized by an inability to cope with the social, emotional, occupational, and intellectual demands of life.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Incompetent
Viewing oneself of being unable to acquire a certain skill or position in life. This can be a result of repeated attempts in the past that were not successful. The person was then criticized for the unsuccessful attempts by others.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Powerless
Inability to influence the environment. You acknowledge your negative situation and feel that you do not have the skill or capacity to influence change at the preset time. But you do acknowledge that it can be changed.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Self-Conscious
Feeling like all eyes are on you, and experiencing blushing, trembling, nausea, profuse sweating, or difficulty talking. These symptoms can be so disruptive sometimes, that they make it hard to meet new people, maintain relationships, and advance at work or in school.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Unlovable
Flawed to the degree where one feels undeserving of love and affection. Also the person feels that they are incapable of inspiring love. This is a state of feeling helpless and is rooted in shame.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Research on Anxiety
General Anxiety
Excessive anxiety through either rumination or worry occurring more often than not for at least six months. People with GAD(General Anxiety Disorder) are under constant stress. There is a pending sense of doom and gloom - a constant state of low level anxiety, though there is no panic in the clinical sense. They even worry about worrying.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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OCD
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder where people feel the need to check things repeatedly, perform certain routines repeatedly, or have certain thoughts repeatedly. People are unable to control either the thoughts or the activities. Common activities include hand washing, counting of things, and checking to see if a door is locked. Some may have difficulty throwing things out. These activities occur to such a degree that the person's daily life is negatively affected. Often they take up more than an hour a day. Most adults realize that the behaviors do not make sense. The condition is associated with tics, anxiety disorder, and an increased risk of suicide.
Reference: DSM 5
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Panic
Panic attacks are usually a result of PTSD and may be triggered with or without an obvious cause.
A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Your heart pounds and you can’t breathe. You may even feel like you’re dying or going crazy. Left untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and other problems. They may even cause you to withdraw from normal activities. But panic attacks can be brought under control through mindful intervention. This program is designed to help you do just that.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation the affected person will go to great lengths to avoid, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed. If the feared object or situation cannot be avoided entirely, the affected person will endure it with marked distress and significant interference in social or occupational activities.
Reference:Wikipedia
last updated: 2016-05-30
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PTSD
Reliving trauma through reenactment is a common facet of anxiety. Subjecting yourself to continued traumatic experiences is medically defined as post-traumatic stress disorder.Whenever past trauma is triggered, you may unconsciously recreate the fear response where your brain prepares your body to go into a defense mode and you may begin to engage in behaviour that is destructive and not even know that it is due to a trauma response; triggered subconsciously.
Trauma is often perpetuated through addiction to adrenalin which can lead you to participate in risky behaviour that recreates traumatic experiences. This can be seen in people who want to love and be loved, but once love enters their lives they will cheat on their partners and violate their trust until they are loveless again.
Individuals can often be seen in reenacting scenarios where they work extremely hard to keep themselves in poverty, without even realizing that they are addicted to the pain and suffering, which for them is at its height when they are penniless. They may work hard to have money and once they have it they will blow it away at the blink of an eye.
This is often seen with people who have had abusive childhoods in which they were subjected to extreme financial abuse by shaming incidents related to money.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Social Anxiety
Constant fear of social situations in which the person thinks that they may be criticized or humiliated by others, especially strangers. People who are suffering from social anxiety fear that they may do something that may make them look like a fool. Rejection and a shame based identity is at the root of social anxiety.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Research on Anger
Resentment,Outrage, Bitterness,
Resentment is the mixture of disappointment and anger. You had expectations and those expectations were not met. Anger and disgust for the person who upset you. Your heart weeps and your blood boils. You seethe and desire vengeance or harm to the perpetrator. You feel this will be justice.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Demolish Or Obliterate
When directed towards others, it manifests as the desire to overwhelmingly defeat or break someone in body, mind and spirit with the intent that they may never recover again.
When aimed at self, it manifests as shame. That harsh, critical, and condemning internal language we continuously use to punish ourselves for not being good enough. When we feel strongly that we are undeserving of love, compassion, comfort and other good thing
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Enraged, Furious, Inscensed
Full of fury, violent passion, or rage; extremely angry; internal thoughts of wishing absolute destruction and suffering for self or someone else.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Seething, Vindictive
Being filled with intense but unexpressed anger, and having or showing a desire to hurt someone who has hurt or caused problems for you. Vindication is characterized by malicious intent.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Vengeful And/Or Sadistic
An intense desire to inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation onto others and deriving pleasure from it, in the process as thought, or when the actions are successful.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Research on Depresssion
Despair
A complete loss of hope; misery; difficult or unable to be helped or comforted. It is strongly related to shame. The source of despair can be often found in a life without meaning or purpose. People look for purpose outside of themselves because that is what our upbringing, society,education and the media tell us. And once all sources are exhausted and the lovers left - despair walks in the door and sits on your heart. It's face is black as the cold wet reeking rag filled with all the soot from a hundred year old chimney.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Dismal
The definition of dismal is something that is gloomy that makes you feel sad.
It could be the way in which the monsoon rain pallets bounce off your tarnished blue window sill, or it could be the perfume that reminds you of exhilarating times with someone that used and discarded you. You think! Remember, it is the thought, and how the mind frames it that determines how well we are moving along the path of cultivation beauty and compassion. What you think and measure, you reap.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Empty
Emptiness as a human condition is a sense of generalized boredom, social alienation and apathy. You feel like there is no good reason to get up and face the day. Unable to see the correct or acceptable course; having no direction. Some people say that the reason they have never done anything meaningful with their lives is because they feel empty most of the time.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Hopelesss
Hopelessness is described as having two
components: (1) an expectation that a negative outcome will occur or that a positive event
will fail to occur, and (2) helplessness regarding one’s ability to change the probability of
the outcome.
(Michelle Munchua DeLisle)
Helplessness and powerlessness also manifest at strong attributes of shame.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Sadness
Unhappy; sorrowful; mournful; affected by grief.
The important thing to remember that sadness is a normal human emotion. We’ve all experienced it and we all will again. This mindset keeps you from slipping into despair and depression. I know, I've been there many times.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Suicidal
Depression is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in suicidal individuals. It
has been estimated that up to 15% of individuals with major depressive disorder die by
2
suicide (American Psychiatric Association, 1994)
Studies to date show that some aspects of
the depressive experience may be associated with a higher vulnerability to suicide.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Weepy
Feeling overly sad or sentimental. The interesting thing is that the stimulus or cause that elicits this condition reminds the subject of feelings of being
unwanted, not cared for; not accepted; a lack of love where it is desired. Talking to someone I know, she told me that sometimes it is a strong desire, or craving for someone or something, but you do not know what it is. In Hinduism, this is seen as a calling from God...provided it is supported by a few other indicators of course.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Research on Fear
Apprehension
There is anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen. The threat could be real or imagined.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Horror
A strong emotion of alarm, disgust, or outrage caused by something frightful or
shocking (e.g. an event of extreme violence, cruelty, or macabre.) The reaction can be one motivated by attachment, the outcome of which will most likely be anger. Or it can be aversion which could lead to paralysis.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Hysteria
Affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion due to sudden overwhelming fear, with or without obvious cause. Sometimes the thoughts the provoke hysteria can reside at sub-conscious level.
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Intimidated
Someone is making you feel fear, nervousness, or inadequacy in order to gain social standing, or produce a desired outcome. Being scorned, belittled, or humiliated are all forms of intimidation. Empathy, can be misused by manipulative individuals to harm you instead of help. People in position of power often show their weakness by indulging in such malicious acts. It is the intent behind empathy that determines if the act is empathetic or coercive.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Panic
A sudden, overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behavior, unreasonably
fearful thoughts or physical symptoms such as trembling and hyperventilation; a strong feeling of impending doom.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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Paralasis
Paralysis in fear is brought on by stress, which could be real or imagined. You may have shallow or difficult breathing when this stress, that is perceived life threatening. Other symptoms may include anxiety or negativity, insecurity, low self-esteem,
depression/isolation/withdrawal, extreme shyness, fear in groups,
fear of separation from a loved one, and
excessive fear of being embarrassed are some causes that trigger paralysis.
last updated: 2016-05-30
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We humans are programed from infancy to spend all our time in
the sympathetic nervous system. As a result of this, our creative faculties get
busy manifesting stress and suffering instead of beauty and tranquility as
our identity develops.
House of Love
The part of the human psyche that moves us towards love and compassion is linked to the
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Sattva).
The parasympathetic system is activated whenever we
think happy thoughts, and participate in acts of kindness, and selfless service.
Spiritual Inclinations (Sattva)
Research on Altruism
Compassion
What Is Compassion (Karuna)
Compassion is an aspiration that involves being sensitive to the suffering in ourselves and others, with a deep motivation and commitment to alleviate and prevent it.1 While self-compassion orients to our own suffering, compassion extends this orientation to the suffering of others.
What is Self-Compassion
Self-compassion involves being aware of one’s painful experiences in a balanced way that neither ignores nor ruminates on disliked aspects of oneself or one’s life.2 It is necessary to be mindfully aware of personal suffering to be able to extend compassion towards self and others.
Cultivating Compassion Compassion, like physical and academic skills, appears to be something that is not fixed, but rather can be enhanced with training and practice. 3
The cardiovascular system and the brain influence each other during the processing of information. The mere act of paying attention to one's compassionate behaviour when interacting with others, enhances the integrated neurons in the brain. When this is done over a period of time it creates a compassionate state. States become a trait, and a compassionate trait determine one's behaviour. 4
References:
- 1 The Dalai Lama, The power of Compassion, An Open Heart; Geshe Tashi Tsering, The Awakening Mind
- 2 Dr Kristin Neff
- 3 Richard J. Davidson, founder and chair of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds
- 4 Richard J. Davidson, founder and chair of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds
- 5 Laboratory for Functional Brain Imaging and Behavior, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin
last update: 2017-01-20
researched by: dharmendra
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Empathy
Empathy
can be defined as the ability to feel or imagine another person’s emotional experience. This does not mean that if a person understands someone else's plight they will be inclined to help them. No. Empathizing with someone with the inclination to help them requires a heart that is kind and compassionate.
Empathy in the wrong hands can be used to harm people through manipulation and ill-will. To intentionally harm anyone, or anything, should never even be entertained in thought, word, or deed.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Joyful Effort
Joyful effort is different from effort in the sense that is does not feel a toil, straining, or unpleasant. "Vriya" in Sanskrit, it is joy that arises in our minds when we engage in activities that help others or self overcome suffering. It is a state that comes about when we begin engaging in compassionate deeds and soulful thoughts on a regular basis. In essence, it is one of our true selves that has been hidden from us due to the stress of everyday life.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Loving-Kindness
For love, I shall resort to Dr Pecks definition of love as given in his insightful book, "Road Less Traveled."
“I define love thus: The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth.” “When we love someone our love becomes demonstrable or real only through our exertion - through the fact that for that someone (or for ourself) we take an extra step or walk an extra mile. Love is not effortless. To the contrary, love is effortful.”
“Dependency may appear to be love because it is a force that causes people to fiercely attach themselves to one another. But in actuality it is not love; it is a form of anti-love. It has its genesis in a parental failure to love and it perpetuates the failure. It seeks to receive rather than to give. It nourishes infantilism rather than growth. It works to trap and constrict rather than to liberate. Ultimately it destroys rather than builds relationships, and it destroys rather than builds people.”
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Selfless Service
Known as “Seva” in Sanskrit “selfless service” or work performed without any thought of reward or repayment. In ancient India seva was believed to help one’s spiritual growth and at the same time contribute to the improvement of a community.
Each one of us is part of an intricate network. I knew this, but just in theory. As a result I felt lost because I could not find out where I fit in the web of humanity. Until I found that one thing, which while doing as a service I would lose all track of time. And that is this work. The work of social innovation. Creating solutions to help humanity. I can do this without expecting anything in return. All I know within my heart is that this work is good, and will benefit generations to come.
Selfless service is our duty to humanity. And it naturally emerges once we break away from our fears and our desire to please others. Selfless service does not care if the person you are serving is kind to you. Your purpose in serving is not to seek closeness with another person but to seek harmony with nature itself.
Let others say and do what they wish. That lot is not yours to be concerned with. Your purpose is to seek harmony with nature while keeping in mind that nature as a whole is ordered according to reason, but not all in nature is reasonable.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Sympathy
In sympathy there is a heightened awareness of the painful emotions the other person is going through and the willingness or inclination to do anything to alleviate that persons plight. All we have time keep in mind is that what we choose to do is inot alignment with the universal spiritual laws and laws of the land.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Research on Nonharming
Acceptance
Acceptance can only be rightfully exercised when one comes into contact with a person towards whom one is having or showing a dislike or distrust that is derived from prejudice. As a result, one of the main attributes of acceptance is humility. There can be no acceptance where there is no humility.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Discretion
The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes which could result in undesirable consequences.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Forgiveness
Forgiveness stands between illusions and the truth; between the world you see and that which lies beyond; between the hell of guilt and heavens gate. A Course In Miracles, lesson 134
Forgiveness is a difficult concept to grasp for many. Saying “I forgive you.” and moving on is not forgiveness because forgiveness is hardly between you and the subject or person in matter.
Forgiveness is an ongoing work. Hard work, of recording whenever the feelings of ill-will, disdain, and aggression arise under its many guises. Sometimes you won’t even know that the obstructive emotion percolating is in relation to a particular person or transgression until a later date. That is why the scientific recording and analysis of thoughts, feelings, and intent is so important, and this is where this software comes to your aid as a blessing - a true tool of spiritual science.
So forgiving someone does not mean that you will stop feeling the rage, resentment, bitterness and the seething vindictive intentions, which come with a heart that is hurt. They will be there. It always has, even before the incident which now cause you such anguish.
Forgiving someone or something else is learning to love yourself. Yes. It is birth of love and as all birth it will hurt in the beginning and there will be tears. Soon the pain and tears will be transformed into insight and clarity. And as your clarity deepens there will emerge tranquility and this peace of mind is love.
So in the end, forgiving someone else is learning to love yourself. It is the birth of just one of your soul mates.
last updated: 2016-04-26
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Mercy
Mercy is the power exercised by one who is in a position to rightfully, under the law and order of the day, able to punish, but chooses to exercise the liberty of compassion.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Non Stealing
Not taking by capricious means
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Nonviolence
Non-violence is passive resistance to evil by love, spiritual force, and reason, rather, than the use of physical force or emotional violence. Ahimsa is the practice of nonviolence, which includes physical, mental, and emotional violence towards others, and the self. We create violence most often in our reactions to events and others on a minute by minute basis, habitually creating judgment, criticism, anger or irritation.
The rishis, who discovered the law of nonviolence in the midst of violence,
were greater geniuses than Newton.
They were themselves greater warriors than Wellington.
Having themselves known the use of arms, they realized their
uselessness, and taught a weary world that its salvation lay not
through violence but through nonviolence.
1
last updated: 2017-24-10
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Research on Fearlessness
Absence Of Wrath
The most common "disturber of peace" among people and nations is wrath. A desireless person has no anger. One who does not expect anything from others, and relies with faith on a God, that person cannot feel wrath or disappointment in any fellow being. This is the quickest way to peace of mind.
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Confidence
Confidence is having trust in that which is good and godly, will always prevail. There have been times when dictators, tyrants, and bullies seemed to be invincible, but history stands witness, that in the end, they have always fallen.
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Courage
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
- Nelson Mandela
Courage is having the will to engage in a worthy challenge that will benefit humankind, or help in elevation of universal consciousness, despite any fears or apprehensions you may have. Courage is the foremost ingredient needed to embark upon the spiritual path because this journey requires you put aside all your unsavoury indulgences and habits.
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Humility
Humility is a state of spiritual maturity from where, the graduated soul is able to keep in awareness at all times ones own defects so that he or she is never prone to thinking that they are in any way, shape, or form, better than another.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Renunciation
This path of giving up the lesser for the greater is the path trodden by the wise. This is the giving up of ever passing sense pleasures for the sake of eternal bliss. Renunciation is not an end in itself but it clears the ground for manifestation of soul qualities. To engage in action without the desire for its fruit is true (Tyaga), for that person carries all activities of the universe assigned to them without expectation nor suggestion. They just do their duty, (Dharma).
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Self-Restraint
The courage to oppose rebellious sensations that are the cause of suffering. The urge to succumb to a call of addiction, the itch to indulge in a gossip, to carry out malicious undertakings for the benefit of gaining material or emotional support or acceptance; are just some of the examples one will need to refrain from.
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Steadfastness
The will to bring oneself to the worthy goal or cause one has embarked upon.
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Straightfowardness
The quality of not only following refusing to side with that which is wrong, but to sit in protest against it regardless the fear of losing face or friends.
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Research on Fortitude
Awareness
Awareness is the quality of consciousness one brings to bear on the object of perception. It is a skill that can be cultivated to higher degrees. This skill allows you to be able to identify, and acknowledge the existence of an emotion, good or bad, without becoming entangled or overwhelmed by it.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Diligence
Diligence is, constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken, as in ones duty or 'Dharma'. Diligence is an ongoing affair. There is no such thing as failing in one's duty. Evolution of consciousness never stops hence you will always be presented with the opportunity to be engaged in your duty. The only challenge is that the stakes get higher. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.
If your duty was to be a good parent and you failed at it. You universe may burden you with the Duty of creating something that evolves the consciousness of millions of people. Remember, diligence in duty is never about you. It is selfless service.
So while you may be successful in fulfilling the higher duty bestowed upon you, does not mean your material desires will be fulfilled as a result of that. It is the personal attachment, or aversion that often prevents us from doing our duty.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Equanimity
Equanimity is a state of mind which is tranquil, and remains unruffled or unaffected by both, pain or pleasure.
Equanimity as it is used today describes a behavioral after-effect of a mind/soul at peace.Internal quietude, aequanimitas deeper than the thinking, feelings and behavior taking place, is wisdom at work in a different realm than the physical experience of thoughts and emotions,whether positive or negative. It points to the fundamental knowledge of the soul expressing a principle of life: we can create anything with our thinking and experience what we create, but the state of the mind/soul that energizes our thinking is unaffected by the thoughts we think. Those thoughts manifest in the physical realm;equanimity is in the formless, spiritual realm from which the physical is formed.
From a paper written by Judith A. Sedgeman, EdD
last updated: 2018-03-03
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Introspection
Introspection is the earnest enquiry by you, seeking an unbiased report from the impartial soul as you review your daily experiences. By honest questioning, you analyze
your, thoughts, words, and intentions, and assess the strength and weakness of your of your fears and insecurities; as well as your loving and compassionate tendencies without judgement or bias.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Optimistic
Optimism is keeping hope and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something that is life-giving while never forgetting that the level of effort and due diligence is under your control, while the outcome never is. This way you will keep despair from knocking on your door.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Patience
Patience is the capacity to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset in the face of injustice and never accepting defeat. If you are fighting addiction, keep trying until you win.
If the world is being unjust and unkind to you, it does not mean you become a doormat for those who are putting you through suffering. Patience means you stand up and fight injustice and violence with non-violence, unkindness with kindness, and hatred with love. Patience does not come naturally. It takes practice.
last updated: 2019-04-04
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Perseverance
Perseverance is the will to stand steadfast in the pursuit of a noble cause despite difficulty, anguish, ridicule, or delay in achieving success. If the cause is not noble then steadfastness in its pursuit is not perseverance but greed.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Purity
Aspiration to live a Taint free life. Bodily, mentally, spiritually. Purification literally means to melt, as in refining ore. The purpose of purification is not pain or penance, but to deliberately refine one's life, to melt it down and
recast it into a higher order of purity and spirituality. The goal is very important, it is not self-punishment but refinement - to shift from human existence into Divinity!
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Willingness
Willingness is the the mental state of readiness to do that which is good, and in accordance with universal spiritual principles of life.
Many researchers also recognize that when connecting to pain within ourselves and others can actually stimulate much personal distress. However, if distress tolerance is shown in the face of pain, it is a sign of motivation. This is what is known as willingness.
last updated: 2018-04-04
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Research on Gratitude
Appreciative
If you do a friend a favor, your friend will probably be appreciative. Being appreciative is being respectful for something meaningful someone has done.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Generosity
Generosity is a quality that's a lot like unselfishness. Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. Generosity is a quality — like honesty and patience — that we all probably wish we had more of.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Moved
When you see someone engage in an act of kindness, all the emotions experienced by the giver and receiver are experienced by you. You are said to be moved by the experience as a witness. You are said to have been provoked to the expression of an emotion, that is rooted in kindness.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Thankful
Thankfulness is a feeling that shows acknowledgement of that for which you are thankful. You can be thankful that the long week is over, or you can give a thankful smile to your boss when she says you can leave a few hours early.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Touched
Being empathetic to the sentiments of another, for having gone through the trouble of doing something for you, or on your behalf.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Research on Devotion
Clarity
Being clear on what path to take, which resources to employ, and what manner to organize the project in.
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Enthusiasm
An interest in, or an eagerness for that which is universally good for all life and life forms.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Faith
Faith is the aspiration of the soul to gain wisdom. It is
the reflection in the empirical self of the wisdom that dwells in the deepest levels of our being.1
last updated: 2018-01-15
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Grace
Grace is some form of divine intervention by a higher power or unseen force for the purpose of assisting the subject in need.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Insight
The power or act of seeing into a situation. For example: You open a bottle of water and pour it into a cup of concentrated juice. You close the bottled water and put it away while you drink your juice.
A few hours later you go to take a sip out of the bottle of water which you pored into your juice. You notice a distinct smell in the water but can't quite make out what it is. You speculate that it could have something to do with the juice but since the water never touched the juice you abandon that theory. You go on with your life.
A week later you have forgotten about the incident and decide to have some more of that juice after drinking the boring water for a week, juice seems like a welcome substitute. You enjoy your juice and place the left over boring water to the side until thirst knocks at your door. As you go to take a sip, you notice that same smell from a week ago in there. Now you are sure that the smell of the concentrated juice somehow is attaching itself to the water even though, it did not touch it. So far so good, no insight here.
But as you go to put the bottle down, a flood of information enters your consciousness. You figure, since you are 70% water, the environment you spend time in must affect you to a great degree. If the energy of the environment is concentrated with ill-will, malice, aggression, envy, lust, hatred, resentment, insecurity, and deception, than all these must enter your body and from there make up a part of your mind. On the other hand, if the environment is holy, containing attributes of love, beauty, kindness, and compassion than the content of your body and mind will be infused with these attribute.
This may be why the ancient seers and sages insisted that one should maximize their time in holy environment, thinking, speaking, and doing holy deed and only indulging in conversations with others on life giving beautiful subjects. This later knowledge that flooded your being is insight.
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Intuition
Intuition is a process that gives us the ability to know something directly without analytic reasoning, bridging the gap between the conscious and non-conscious parts of our mind, and also between instinct and reason. This is knowledge that seems to originate in the metaphysical dimensions and involve extrasensory perception bringing information to a person in any field of knowledge. Even in areas with which the individual may not be acquainted with.
There is also mundane intuition (tacit knowledge). For example, you are a professor of mathematics, and have been struggling with a mathematical problem. The solution comes to you in your dream or in the shower. But here you are familiar with mathematics, yet the way in which the answer arrives makes one wonder about divine intervention.
last updated: 2017-01-05
by Dharmendra
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Serendipity
The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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Sincerity
Sincerity is the resolve to do what is right consistently with transparent motives, despite the painful loss and consequences that may follow.
last updated: 2018-04-05
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Synchronicity
Synchronicity is a concept, first explained by psychiatrist Carl Jung, which holds that events are "meaningful coincidences" if they occur with no causal relationship, yet seem to be meaningfully related.
Whether Carl Jung was aware of it or not, his psychological concept of
(synchronous) has a very illuminating definition in the electromagnetic world.
'Synchronous' in physics and electricity means 'having the same frequency and
zero phase difference.' Roughly translated, synchronous means two things are
vibrating at the same rate. They are on exactly the same wavelength.
last updated: 2016-04-04
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It is crucial to remember that the sympathetic (catabolic) and parasympathetic (anabolic)
systems work in opposition to each other. Either one, or the other is activated all of the time.
Unfortunately, the mind that creates pain and suffering (sympathetic nervous system),
always takes precedence, because it is unconsciously motivated by egotistical desires,
insecurity, and codependency.4
As a result, the process of self realization will require persistent effort
on your part to move from suffering, towards compassion.
The goal is to keep your sympathetic
nervous system turned off as much as possible by choosing to spend as much time as
possible in the parasympathetic nervous system, where tranquility reins supreme.
A tranquil mind is needed for the transfer of information
required for cultivation of mindfulness and compassion because
the transfer of information between neurons becomes optimal when
their activity is synchronized, as in a tranquil mind.5
Is Compassion in Thought, Word, and Deed Possible?
Absolutely! But for any reality to manifest, it has to be summoned into existence through observation and measurement.
Using the tools in this framework, you will engage in the process of observing, identifying and recording the
strength and weakness of your egotistical desires, and fears, as well as your compassionate inclinations, and
selfless motivations.
Before a wound can be healed, it needs to be exposed and the damage assessed.
As you progress in the use of this application,
you will clearly see how much time you spend nurturing your
compassionate inclinations, and how much time is spent wallowing
in the ocean of misery, blame and resentment. Without absolute transparency,
there can be no progress.
Compassion, like any other physical and academic skills, appears to be something that is not
fixed, but rather can be enhanced with training and practice.
6
The cardiovascular system and the brain influence each other during the processing of information.
The mere act of paying attention to one's compassionate behaviour when interacting with others,
enhances the integrated neurons in the brain. When this is done over a period of time it creates
a compassionate state. States become a trait, and a
compassionate trait determine one's behaviour.7
The reports of your efforts will enable you to see the ebb and flow to the process that is involved
in reinventing yourself.
As you progress in your journey of self actualization, the doubt, fear, and resistance you experienced
will be transformed into confidence, courage, and acceptance.
By training your brain to spend more time in the happy zone, your mind will establish
dominance to transmit joyous and compassionate vibrations. This will harmonize
with other like vibrations within the atmosphere, becoming more powerful in its ability to manifest
beauty, love, and wisdom.
We will need your feedback and guidance
to make improvements to this project, which will aid in the evolution of consciousness for generations to come.
Please submit your feedback to postmaster@hightechmindfulness.com