Enlightenment and Emotions
November 5th, 2009 by Wayne (Wirs)
Do enlightened people feel emotions? If so, how are the emotions different than those experienced by story-people? (New term: “Story-People.” Kind of derogatory, but I want you to start thinking of your ego/story in negative terms as this will help you see, feel and ultimately reject the ego/story. It’s accurate too, as the illusionary ego/story turns you into a fictional character–but I digress.) ***Edited 11/6/2009: See my comment below.
Story-Wayne used to think that enlightened people never (or barely) experienced emotions–surely never any negative emotions. This idea was based solely on how enlightened teachers presented themselves to their audience.
My experiences however, are completely different…
Enlightened Emotions
Instead of softer or more subdued emotions, what I have found is that emotions are much more powerful than they ever were. The emotions that I experience are filled with a living, moving, raw, primal power–a power that is balanced though, by a clear, untainted, purity.
Emotions now feel so alive and powerful because, quite simply, there is no one holding them in check anymore. Since there is no resistance to them (no one resisting them), their natural qualities are felt in all their purity.
Anger: Anger rushes upward, filling the body with tension…and then, because there is no one holding onto it, it’s gone. Anger now feels like someone slammed a door right behind my back: Boom! Clench. Ahh..whew.
Love: Love feels like radiance. There is a lot more of it–a lot more–and it is always outward flowing. Never inward, never needing. This outward flowing is probably why the word “light” is so often used in referring to the experience of enlightenment, as light is always flowing away from the source–never turning back into itself.
Loneliness: Haven’t felt it since waking up. Not sure why.
Food Guilt: Don’t feel it. When I want a candy bar, I’m eating a candy bar. Surprisingly, this has actually cut down on cravings dramatically. Interesting also is that when I want a candy bar and I don’t have one around, the desire for it is felt far more physically/emotionally than it used to…When I want a candy bar, I really WANT a candy bar. And when I eat it, I really enjoy it.
Moral Guilt: Not applicable. What is right for me is what is right for Life itself. No rules or dogma needed. Every situation is seen as unique in itself, and Life, via the passionate movement, lets you know what the proper course of action is.
Sexual Lust: Much more powerful, uninhibited and guilt-free. Though I haven’t had sex since waking up, Chandi, who teaches Tantra, has helped me understand the natural unbalanced state that all creatures live in. By nature of our sexual gender, we are automatically unbalanced–not sexually whole. Tantra focuses on just this aspect of spirituality–on how to understand and deal with this natural, unbalanced state. Thanks for all your help Chandi.
Joy: I am much happier. Appreciation (joy) is my most common emotion.
Compassion: This one often surprises me in weird ways. In the typical sense, compassion blossoms like you’d expect it would with any deeply spiritual person–other people are far more important to me than “me” because there is no more Wayne Wirs. Where it gets kind of funny/weird is when it comes to other living things. I can eat meat guilt-free (the animal is already dead), but I wouldn’t kill an animal even if it meant starving to death. I feel guilty walking on a flower (I’m sure it hurts it), but grass on the other hand, likes being walked on–like a massage. I know it’s strange but that’s the way it feels.
Self-Based Emotions: Many emotions, the ego/story-based emotions, simply no longer exist for me. Greed, Fear, and Envy come immediately to mind but I’m sure there are many others. There is simply no Wayne Wirs to be greedy or fearful or envious. Primal fear still exists but that is more instinctual conditioning rather than an emotion–ie: whatever organ creates adrenalin in the body, still functions as it used to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emotions based on story-Wayne (Wayne Wirs) have dropped away, but the remaining emotions are felt much more powerfully and much more passionately. Because I no longer try to control or manipulate Life, Life is free to flow and vibrate and roar in all the wonderful varieties of feelings that Life celebrates.
If you think others may enjoy this post, please share it via Facebook, Twitter, Email, etc...
Thank-you. Wayne
See Also: FAQs, Feel of Enlightenment
November 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I just want to apologize for the term “story people.” Re-reading the paragraph, it feels too harsh. I don’t believe thinking of yourself as a “story person” will help any reader recognize that their ego is a fictional character. It just comes across as elitist and offensive, which are neither my intentions or attitude.
“Wayne Wirs” is a fictional character of his own story (substitute your name and gender as appropriate). “Wayne” (your first name), a simple sound without any story, is who you truly are.
The ego is a fictional character, but you as a story person is taking that too far. Sorry if I’ve offended anyone.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I don’t think it is harsh. It is what it is. Only the ego gets offended. We are all players/participants in the maha story/fairytale which the ego thinks is the “real” deal, but we are not the roles we are playing.
I want to thank you for the clarity you give me.
Love,
Chandi
November 8th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
NOW you understand why TS Elliott wrote:
“The Naming of cats is a difficult matter;
It isn’t just one of your holiday games.
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you a cat *must have three different Names.*”
(emphasis mine, but that’s the first part of “The Naming of Cats” from _Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats_ )
November 9th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Wouldnt say harsh Wayne – but i do agree that once we can look past the veil (ego) that was/is/can/tries to seperate us from total living the splendour of our souls delight. Then we can see the role we play in the ( i like this Chandi ) Maha or mighty story and engage more fully embrace all it has to offer and gracefully bow down when the curtain falls, to play again and be at one with the cycle of life. Birth, life, death, Rebirth the breath of Creation, breathing us eternally.
Ps: Ketira like this sounds like a game of Hide and Seek..;)
December 31st, 2009 at 1:56 am
I can’t imagine why anyone would have a problem with the term “story people”. For me, it serves as convenient shorthand, i.e. when I notice myself getting mired in self-story telling, I can swiftly observe that I’m indulging my inclination to be a “story person”.
For anyone who sees The Problem, it is a useful perspective on that problem.
For anyone who doesn’t see The Problem, well, they’d likely be offended by ANY assertion (in any phrasing) that their day-to-day existence may be delusional. I.e. by this entire site! And I’m not sure why such people would be reading your blog, anyway…