if an individual could let go of all fear including hate, doubt, frustration, greed, apathy, etc. would that individual be more powerful than the rest of us? Undoubtedly his or her's life would be better but would they have access to things thought not possible? Obviously one cannot simply discard ones negative emotions but if you could complete control them (emotions are not you they are simply natural reactions to certain things. Just like if you touch a hot plate you remove your hand.) would you not be in a constant state of either good feelings or a sort of meditation?

I would argue, and have argued that the so called "negative emotions" are necessary to a degree. Apathy? Of course. Imagine if you allowed yourself to deeply care about every issue that were to come about. Apathy is not so bad.. what we mean when we complain about apathy is we are frustrated that others are apathetic to an issue WE have chosen to become emotionally involved with.

I dont think I need to explain why "doubt" is a useful emotion. Nor frustration.

The negative emotions came about presumably through the same Darwinian processes that created the so called "positive emotions" and are just as likely. In my opinion the danger lies not in having them, but whether you control your emotions or let them control you. They are a useful thing.

Wow Vet...that's hitting the nail on the proverbial head.
It should be a bumper sticker.

Exactly. emotions are just natural parts of our body function. When you feel the emotion anger it is not you who is angry it is just your body telling you this is a situation that you should be angry at. If you give yourself time to calm down instead of reacting with anger right away, usually you realize that the situation does not require an emotional response and you can avoid conflict. a lot of time upon thinking further you may be like: why was i even angry at that time?

I am not advocating the disposal of emotions that is not only impossible but also wrong. Instead I am saying that one must realize that emotions are tools that are not part of your conscious self but a part of your body's natural functions. If you can completely control and understand why these emotions occur (we all know this is no walk in the park) than you would be able to take in and understand so much more because your comprehension would not be cloudied. You would be neutral.

The problem with apathy is there is more of it than empathy. The world is in a mass state of apathy we only care about what can touch us and I'm gonna try and figure out exactly why this is (than i'll make a thread about it). I am not saying that all people have little empathy I'm just using that statement generally.

We are but mechanical animals...=)

Think of it this way we are an indestructable beings who simply use the body as a vessel for mantaining ourselves in this world. Emotions do not define you. Everybody has to reach much deeper than that to find out who we really are.

Or the exact opposite could be said, depending on how you believe. Our emotions are one aspect that DOES defines us as unique individuals.

Mande posts: Think of it this way we are an indestructable beings

Rore posts: Ahhh, to be young again… and to feel ‘bullet-proof”!!! ..lol Love it/hate it…:)

Mande posts: Emotions do not define you.

Rore posts: To a certain degree, I think emotions do define us. I don’t think we should let emotions rule us though.

Mande posts: Everybody has to reach much deeper

Rore posts: Bingo!!!

In regards to letting go of fear: Fear is defined as “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.”

By this definition, fear may be construed as being an emotional warning device. As in ‘Warning, bridge out ahead, be fearful.”
I must admit I usually used the word fear as meaning an irrational wariness of a perceived threat, but I think that belongs under the heading /definition of Phobia.

However, a distressing emotion can inhibit one from taking immediate and correct action, thereby leading to undesirable results.

But, (seems I always find a ‘but’) a distressing emotion may lead to a ‘Hit Song’!!! :rockon: ~rore

emotions do not define you they define personality. Like i said emotions are tools so when i say letting go of fear i mean that which is holding you back.

Mande posts: emotions do not define you they define personality

I think emotions help to define the 'you' in personality ~rore

Btw: Yep, i agree, letting go of things that are holding one back is crucial for one's growth. If my warning system, fear, is holding me back in a situation, I need to let go of it if I want to move on. Letting go of fear does not mean to me I have discarded this emotion, this warning system, fear, for ever.
In my Human form, on Earth, I desire warning systems to help ensure I will 'carry on' my path.

Ok, so they define personality. Aren't our personalities something that defines our uniqueness and who we are????

And to your second point, there is a reason (as rore points out) that our emotions hold us back in certain cirmcumstances. They are a way to warn us or help release pressures that we could not deal with unless we had emotions. Anger is a stress reliever, so is crying. Too much emotion can be destructive, I agree. But emotions were given to us to counter stress and pressure our minds would not be able to cope with. Before you answer back with a counter post, think about that for a minute. So in essence you are saying let's not act on or listen to our emotions. Let's not have an emotional state about us......then we become machines.

i guess your not understanding me. When im refering to "holding you back" do you think I am talking about things that would hurt you if you ignored your sense of danger? There is a difference between sensing danger and fear. I never said don't act on your emotions I said control them and understand that they are not you, they are tools, use them productively. There is nothing robotic about that.

And no i dont not think that personality defines uniqueness or who we are?

I think I understand what you are trying to say. However, to me, the more you try to "control" your emotions, the less human you become, is my point. I guess it depends on how much control we are talking about. I am not sure what you mean when you say "they are not you". Each individual is given emotions, and we all have varying degrees.... they are a part of us both individually and collectively. Personally, I feel you may be numb to those emotions as you have stated before in other post, and therefore, your comments are reflecting that.

when you experience negative emotions i would say that you should use them as motivation to go out there and do something productive so you dont have to feel those emotions and when you get frustrated, angry, sad, etc. while working toward your goals use that energy and work harder dont become self destructive. I think emotions where designed as a kind of test and controlling them will result in your success. I am certainly not numb to negative emotions but i can see your point. I still have to say that they are a part of the physical not you.

from Frank Herbert's Dune

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

that is exactly right.