Diagramming Emotions

Often, as we are on the path to self-discovery and self-awareness, we find ourselves experiencing emotions that we’ve not experienced before; or at least not with the normal (to us) frequency or intensity. After all, we’ve not felt this way before, so why now? Well, the simpler answer than fully providing an in-depth explanation we’ve discussed, is that our emotional mind has not previously “allowed” us to experience these emotions before as a form of protection consciously. Either as a form of coping or defense mechanism or as a protection from what we consciously cannot handle – our unconscious emotional mind has shielded us from the emotions, the intensity, or the frequency.

These newly felt emotions can be frustrating, maddening, and even bewildering, among other possible emotions. The result commonly manifested within us due to frustration is anxiety, sadness, anger, or other negatively perceived emotions. However, it is important to realize that all of these negative emotions are clues to not only understanding the origin but also eliminating the problem.

As we progress toward enlightenment and self-awareness, we must learn to deal with these new experiences. Diagramming our emotions is a tremendously beneficial tool for this. It helps us deal with these emotions so that we can assist the Unconscious Emotional Mind (UEM) in conversing with the Conscious Emotional Mind (CEM).

We can provide this assistance by discerning the emotions we feel by empowering our Intellectual Brain (IB) to help with the process. As we’ve discussed, emotions within us are 100% logical, once discovering the purpose our emotional mind (conscious and unconscious) has for the emotion. If we look at our emotions as a logical problem or an algebraic equation, we can allay the emotions of confusion that often accompany our newly developing emotional state.

How do we do this?

IF we understand, or at least for the moment accept as fact that certain emotions include other emotions AND that the emotion cannot be experienced without the presence of another emotion, we can self-diagnose or self-diagram. As an example, simplified:

1 + 2 = 3; A + B = C. IF we know and accept that A = 1 AND that C = 3, then we KNOW that B = 2, correct? But, what if we remove B from the equation? We would be left with merely A. And we then can, with factual knowledge, realize that in no way can A = C, correct?

In keeping with this formula, IF we know that a sense we feel is the emotion of Frustration and we diagram Frustration, we must examine the elements of Frustration. IF we accept that Frustration is the combination of a sense of Lack of Control and Fear of the Unknown Consequence then we could diagram it as such:

Internal Sense of Lack of Control (Label that A) + Fear of the Unknown Consequence (B) = Frustration (let’s call that C).

If we accept this, we must understand and accept that Frustration cannot exist without the emotion of Fear of the Unknown Consequences. Thus, once we remove Fear from the equation we are merely left with the emotion of the Internal Sense of Lack of Control, correct? Make sense? Well, what the heck good is this you may ask! Here’s the answer:

IF we eliminate Fear from the equation of ANY negatively perceived emotion, ALL that is left is the resulting emotion that was previously combined with Fear to result in the resulting emotion, in this example – Frustration.

Once this is done, the only thing necessary to do is work on the acceptance of the remaining emotion that was combined with Fear to result in the negatively perceived emotion (Frustration). In this example, the remaining emotion was the Internal Sense of Lack of Control. Previous to embarking on self-discovery and self-awareness most of us could feel that Lack of Control is a bad thing. But is it?

The sense of Lack of Control, once we are self-aware, is a tremendous clue and benefit to us. The old “us” was afraid of having a Lack of Control but the new “us” allows and even requires examination of this sense. In fact, once discover self we can examine whether we truly are without control in some aspects of our lives. IF we are true without control then we can merely accept that fact because we no longer are required to define ourselves as being “perfect”, “responsible”, “should” or any other sense we previously and unconsciously had placed upon ourselves.

AND if we now discover that we actually do have some control over the aspect and that the old “us” was either afraid of applying our strength to affect control or that we were never previously empowered to have the right to apply the control that we always had and simply didn’t know it. The lack of previous empowerment might have been implanted upon us by caretakers (by words or models or expectations), religion, peers, etc.

So, all this is to explain that we can consciously assist our UEM and CEM by employing the IB to do this.

Another example:

Sadness is a form of grief. Grief is the internal emotion that includes a sense of Loss. What emotion do you think is combined with the sense of Loss to equal grief or sadness?? Hopefully, you guessed correctly – Fear (of how we perceive ourselves or our lives in the future considering the consequence of the Loss).

So: Sense of Loss + Fear = Grief

Once we are aware of Fear being present and eliminate the Fear we are left with merely the healthy and natural sense of Loss, rather than the unhealthy self-persecution damage of grief. Acceptance of the Loss and the realization that we are empowered with the healthy aspect of Loss, we can move on.

Another example:

Anxiety. Anxiety is the sense of Lack of Knowledge of Direction plus Fear of the consequences. Therefore:

Sense of Lack of Direction (or inability to decide) + Fear = Anxiety

Once we remove Fear from the equation we are left with the sense of Lack of Direction or inability to decide. After analyzing this remaining element we can analyze only the question of why we cannot decide or Lack of Direction to take. Almost always, the inability to decide or Lack of Direction is the result of an internal conflict between what we want to do and what we think we should do. As we’ve discussed often, “should” is an expectation that was implanted by others – previously in life. FURTHERMORE, the expectation that was implanted upon us was perceived by us (usually in childhood) as a criterion that would make us “acceptable” or “unacceptable” in the eyes of the party or parties that implanted it upon us, whether it was their intent or not.

The diagramming does not only apply to negative emotions but also positive ones – but generally, positive emotions are pleasing and do not usually need to be diagrammed to self-diagnose. But in certain circumstances, it can be helpful. An example:

Happy (the general state of continual contentment) is the sense of longevity plus the emotion of joy. Thus: Longevity + Joy = Happy.

Another positive example:

Internal Power is the sense of Empowerment (or the internal realization you have the Right) to do for yourself or to make decisions for yourself (without the application of any “should”) + Lack of Consideration of the Views of Others (not caring about the judgment of others, living or dead). Thus: Empowerment (Having the Right) + Lack of Care of the Opinion of Others = Internal Power. Make sense?