Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Emotions vs. Feelings: what's the difference?

Many people use these two terms interchangeably, but in order to understand our actions and the reasons behind them, it is often helpful to differentiate the two.  A person's "actions" (considered to be a PHYSICAL response to outside stimuli) are often driven by one's "reactions" (also known as one's THOUGHT process) "Feelings" are cumulative and have been learned through past experience whereas "Emotions" surface as an expression of those feelings .  In other words,  Feelings are products of Emotions. 

Katherine Douville, a well-respected and gifted Life Coach and Energy Worker, shared the following explanation on her blog,  Intuitive Mind.

Feelings are ACTIONS, and Emotions are REACTIONS. Feelings are PHYSICAL, whereas emotions are MENTAL.
FEELINGS Include:                                                                                                                           Goose Bumps, Heightened Awareness, Ringing in the Ears, Excitement, Hot, Cold, Energy Rising in the Body, a Presence, Tears of Joy or Sorrow, Comfort, Nausea, Pain, Discomfort, Jumpy, Nervous, Feverish
EMOTIONS Include:
Anger, Fear, Surprise, Jealousy, Happy, Sad, Conflicted, Respectful, Greedy, Mad, Upset, Depressed, Confused, Appreciative, Frightened

Another way to differentiate between the two is this:  Feelings are Never Final, Feelings can always be changed by adjusting our physical environment.  Emotions are more easily described as the Word associated with the physical sensation.   Feelings are the whole, where as Emotions are the part.

How do we gain control of our Emotions and subsequently our Feelings?  Meditation......Free your mind and open your heart....In the words of Brene Brown:

Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating a clearing.  It’s opening up an emotionally clutter-free space and allowing ourselves to feel and think and dream and question.

Looking for direction and guidance to begin following
a Realistic, Sustainable Meditation regimen?
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