The Emotional Spectrum

In this essay I will present a very straightforward, psychological concept. It might appear to be an oversimplification, but it has strong explanatory powers and doesn't stand in the way of a more complex view. That's because it orders different moods along a one dimensional scale and adding more axis can be done at any time. Please note, that this emotional scale is different to the traditional, spiritual ones, discussed in 'dimensions of inner life'.  This first part deals with the darker end of the spectrum, later chapter will proceed with the center and lighter end.

In simplest terms we can call the directions on this scale good and bad. Even if these words are frowned upon by todays culture, they are still accepted and universally understood in this context. Everybody with a functioning emotional psyche understands a good mood to be more joyful and easier to endure as a bad one. It is also understood that most people very seldom experience the extremes on this scale. That there are states so awful and blissfull, that they  can only be accessed in extreme situations, when leaving the accustomed mental and emotional framework. This framework is built in different phases of adolescence and only rudimentary developed in early childhood. That's why children are in deep need of a stable and loving home, to create such a framework, that can carry them through life.

Most of us met people who missed out on this. They regularly fall back into irrational fears and behaviour that is motivated by these emotions. Getting them off this place on the emotional scale is hard work and needs long term commitment and discipline. Basically they have to make up for childhood development in later years.

This situation gets even harder, when the parents had a sadistic streak and  willfully undermined the self image of their child. Then children most often do accept that they are not worthy of acceptance, just in order to get an emotional place to exist, that is consistent with their surrounding.

That creates an emotional state of self denial and I would regard it as the low end of the spectrum. It is a very unfortunate state for several reasons. Obviously, it is not pleasant internally, even such a person can be highly functional in wider society, when willing to work overtime for a little nod of approval and having no further demands. As hard as it sound, a lot of people got accustomed to such a life and have rather a difficult time to move out of it, because that is accompanied by uncertainty. Not seldom such people seek refuge in drug consumtion. That brings episodes of relieve, but also an erosion of their emotional, social and financial capabilities.

A stable way out would be a gradual one, step by step. When moving out of self denial, the next best state (that some can jump over) is passionate hate. Finally recognizing self worth, leads naturally to anger about the previous stance and deeds created out of ignorance. Just moving emotionally from self loathing to hate is a big relief, because pressure that once is felt all the time is released by redirecting it outward. Most likely, the surrounding people will misinterpret that as unprovoked aggression and will try to push the patient physically or socially into his previous state. That is a third reason, why it is hard to get out. Hopefully an emotionally robust person can offer real assistance and guidance, how to release anger, without disturbung the local fabric of society.

To prevent some of these difficulties I recommend to practice forgiveness - to yourself and others. That does discharge pressure and ease the transition a lot. When in self denial, it is, of course, easier to forgive others first. And when done with some emotional thrust in a form of a prayer, it is mostly more effective, because that reaches more strongly the subconsciousness.

Without getting here too much into the spectrum of alpha, delta and gamma brain waves -  it is shown by technology, that adults are in different state, than children during the very early years. And it is difficult to most to reconnect with the world they once lived in. Using hypnosis or a similar technique can help, given the hypnotist is responsible and well trained. Using a prayer of forgivness circumvents this risk and because your own normal self consciousness is involved, there are also safety mechanisms involved to not do too much at once. Like said in the beginning, it is a slow process that needs  patience and at least one person with some optimism.

Some might even be put off by the spiritual connotation of this methods. And frankly, giving for a moment a lot more attention to your emotional state than to your thoughts, already puts many in a uncomfortable position. Being additionally aware of personal limits and wanting reach beyond them is very hard to separate from a religious or spiritual act. However, this is not about theological arguments, but bringing back sanity into your daily life.                                          ( ... to be continued | index | changes )