Energy In Motion: Understanding Our Emotions Central To Wellness

An essential tool for those involved in Reiki and Holistic Health & Wellness is understanding how emotions are formed and where they come from. 

Emotions are defined as cognitive appraisals and physiological perceptions. A similar description of emotions is they’re possibly a brain process that simultaneously makes appraisals and perceives the body. 

In other words, emotions come from how we feel when we are observing something. 

Although listed as primary emotions, certain psychology experts believe anger and sadness are mental reactions to physiological stages. They are a connection between emotions and physiological changes. 

According to some psychologists, happiness is a physiological perception. It’s not a conclusion or a judgement. What they are saying is happiness is a perception formed from our physiological state.  

A bit more of an in-depth description sees emotions as psychological states comprising of thoughts and feelings, physiological changes, expressive behaviors, and inclinations. 

The changes that happen in the body from a particular perception are only part of the experience of an emotion. A perceived threat will be felt in the body after the initial reaction of fear.

 Relationships play a central role in how we feel. Our emotional wellness is intrinsically linked to how we feel—not only about others—but also how we treat our own self.

Discord or harmony in relationships is the result of the quality and quantity of emotional communication in those relationships. Being able to process all of our emotions is necessary if we want to avoid being bogged down energetically. We need to acknowledge how we feel, regardless of if we think the emotion is good or bad.

 The acceptance or rejection of other social groups can be understood by looking at the emotions that are felt toward members of those groups. It’s clear the ways in which cultures promote certain kinds of values impact the conditions under which emotions are experienced and communicated. We see this in the varying roles women have in different cultures.

There are primary emotions—felt first—unto which many other emotions follow. Primary emotions relay information about an observation. You see a newborn baby, you feel joy. You see a fire next door, you experience fear with panic following.

Secondary emotions can sometimes take over from the primary emotion—thereby—hiding the intended useful data needed from the primary emotion. Some secondary emotions are often habits learned from previous similar experiences. Once we’re able to recognize these for what they are, we can deal with the primary emotion.

Modern-day psychology lists the following primary emotions and their secondary emotions as follows. Many are not limited to one or the other, nor are they always secondary.

Anger

aggravation, aggression, agitation, apathy, attack, bitterness, conflict, contempt, defensiveness, disgust, exasperation, frustration, fury, grouchiness, hatred, hostility, irritability, loathing, rage, resentment, revulsion, tension, wrath.

Fear

alarm, anxiety, apprehension, confusion, distress, distrust, doubt, dread, envy, fright, guilt, horror, hysteria, panic, paranoia, shame, shock, suffering, tension, terror, unease, worry.

Joy

amusement, bliss, cheerfulness, contentment, delight, ecstasy, elation, enjoyment, enthrallment, enthusiasm, euphoria, excitement, exhilaration, gaiety, happiness, inner-peace, jubilation, love, optimism, pleasure, pride, safety, relief, satisfaction, thrill.

Love

adoration, affection, arousal, attraction, caring, compassion, desire, empathy, infatuation, fondness, forgiveness, gratitude, hope, longing, lust, obsession, passion, sentimentality.

Sadness

agony, alienation, anguish, boredom, depression, disappointment, dismay, displeasure, embarrassment, grief, guilt, feeling home-sick, humiliation, hurt, insecurity, loss, pity, neglect, regret, remorse, shame.

As far as many energy workers are concerned—although emotions are consuming and complex—there are really only two emotions that all others are derivatives from. You either feel love or you are in fear. I say "you are in fear" rather than you feel fear because the fear may not be felt, but it is hidden and undetected. These two are opposites, and it is from either of these polarized states that all other emotions can be traced back to.

Take another look at the above list of primary and secondary emotions, and see if you can envision how what I’ve just said in the previous statement applies.

For people wanting to make changes in their lives, understanding that by simply moving the focus from one emotion to another will help shift their experience.