Lesson Learnt #3: Can you truly feel your nine basic emotions? (from two weeks of introspective experiences)



I struggled. No two ways about it. I just struggled and could not feel at most times.

During the intensive Mahabharatha Immersion, I re-learnt about the nine basic emotions ('rasas') that are fundamental to yoga and many forms of Indian art including dance, music, musical theatre, cinema and literature.

These nine emotions are:

  • Śṛngāram (शृङ्गारं) Love, Attractiveness. 
  • Hāsyam (हास्यं) Laughter, Mirth, Comedy. 
  • Raudram (रौद्रं) Fury. 
  • Kāruṇyam (कारुण्यं) Compassion, Tragedy. 
  • Bībhatsam (बीभत्सं) Disgust, Aversion.
  • Bhayānakam (भयानकं) Horror, Terror. 
  • Vīram (वीरं) Heroic mood. 
  • Adbhutam (अद्भुतं) Wonder, Amazement. 

I had heard about these, but then came across an interesting concept that has stayed with me: A sign of a healthy human is one is who able to fully experience all the nine emotions and return to a state of calm ('shantham') without a residue. 

Imagine...all this while, conventional wisdom has often focussed on suppressing one's emotions and putting on a polite face. This has always jarred with me as I have often thought it is best to be honest and natural. But here was a concept that explicitly touted the benefits of fully immersing and expressing all the emotions including those considered 'negative.'  

During the Immersion, we were encouraged, nay prodded,  to take a deep dive into each of the these emotions....And here, I found myself unable to let go. For a person who prided myself on being natural, some thing held me back. I could not feel rage, or many of the other 'rasas.' 

It got me thinking on how much I am bottling up inside still. Does this resonate with you?

The journey has taken one more important step....

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more