How do Buddhists handle emotion? (mystic, experience)

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Engyo

Hi, Ozzie -

I'd like to second what Mystic has said. In addition, I try not to be attached to my emotions or my emotional reactions. I don't make decisions based solely on them. I do examine why I reacted that way, in order to understand it, and decide whether anything should be done based on those reasons. Often I find it is my perceptions, understanding or reactions that need changing, rather than he supposed "cause" of my emotional reaction.

I understand the Buddhist need to examine transient negative emotions such as anger, jealousy & fear, accept them for what they are and subsequently allow those feelings to drift away unfettered.

But, how does a Buddhist deal with the emotion of love....is love not an attachment? Is love an "allowed" attachment?

Sorry to ask such an elementary question.

[Ozzie]

Sorry to ask such an elementary question.

Ah love. Sweet love....

You are right that it is attachment.

Attachment is not negative when correct awareness of it is achieved.

The strange thing about love is that from a Buddhist perspective, we love for our own interest first and foremost, and dress it up as unconditional etc, when really it isn't or can't be.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

Attachment is not negative when correct awareness of it is achieved.

But, what's the correct awareness? Non dependency?

The strange thing about love is that from a Buddhist perspective, we love for our own interest first and foremost, and dress it up as unconditional etc, when really it isn't or can't be.

Very true.

The only unconditional love I can think of is the love a parent has for a child. And even that love can be conditional for some.

[Ozzie]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

But, what's the correct awareness? Non dependency?

For me, not really. Then you would have a "correct" view of dependence being non-dependence. You would attempt to control the thing called love in order to render yourself non-dependent. All very unnatural.

Correct awareness IMO is to realise attachment is selfish, yet natural and to enjoy it in moderation (try not to get too attached)

The only unconditional love I can think of is the love a parent has for a child. And even that love can be conditional for some.

That is true. But don't you think the attachment of parent to child is of a qualitatively different sort to romantic attachment although both are sorts of "love".

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

Correct awareness IMO is to realise attachment is selfish, yet natural and to enjoy it in moderation (try not to get too attached)

I that like to a Buddhist it's good to acknowledge attachment is selfish...because it IS but it's OK at the same time To me, too attached manifests as jealousy, possessiveness, controlling, fearful of losing love, etc. To enjoy and be thankful for the love from another yet not hold on so tight that you strangle the life out of the love you have been given. Is that close?

But don't you think the attachment of parent to child is of a qualitatively different sort to romantic attachment although both are sorts of "love".

Yes, they are very different sorts of love. Parents can certainly suffer from over attachment to their children much in the same manner as romantic love though.

[Ozzie]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I that like to a Buddhist it's good to acknowledge attachment is selfish...because it IS but it's OK at the same time To me, too attached manifests as jealousy, possessiveness, controlling, fearful of losing love, etc. To enjoy and be thankful for the love from another yet not hold on so tight that you strangle the life out of the love you have been given. Is that close?

Very close.

[zenzero]

Friends,
What are EMOTIONS anyway?????????????
hahahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

grow up! by growing out of those pants
Existence is NAKED

Love & rgds

[koan]

Emotions are conditioned thoughts. We can change our emotions by changing our thoughts. When feeling sad, a friend may come along to cheer you up. This friend may say something funny and you laugh. For awhile then, you are not sad, however thinking of why you're sad will return you to that emotion.
Examining thoughts(emotions) as they pass is fine, the problems only arise when we, either try to hold these thoughts(emotions), or act upon them.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by koan