Everyday Tasks

Below the layer of immediate sensory awareness but above the layer of the observer lies a layer of emotion which is like a rich, colorful tapestry. This fabric can be tangled or nice and smooth – depending on a variety of factors. A lot of emotions are based off of interpretations of one’s current situation and how that compares to an expected state. Other emotions happily occur independently such as a spontaneous happy mood that can occur out of no-where.

As a fabric or cloth has a particular weave, we have a varying number of feelings interacting and vying for attention. Our emotional state is represented by a particular point on this ‘Emotional fabric’, and the point is determined as a function of time. This point, depending on the weave could have any number of threads that are interwoven and either pulling against or supporting each other. These threads represent emotions which could be conflicting with or re-inforcing each other.

If some of the threads are too tight these threads can be pulling hard against each other, and this would distort the overall shape of the cloth. Or the threads could all be of equal, soft tension where the ying balances the yang, and the push balances the pull. This would make the cloth softer, without having strain or undue tension. This is obviously the more desired state.

So how can we use this analogy? Well unfortunately our underlying tensions have a way of getting away with themselves without regular attention. So you should spend some time each day to objectively pay some care to your emotional fabric and examine if it is smooth and calm or in a state of panic.

The best time for this, I feel, is immediately after waking. Quite often I may discover I have a sense of subversive panic. Paying attention to this awakes the inner observer. Without doing this, the tension would have happily proceeded without being noticed, but nevertheless affecting the day. All it takes is a few calming words of support to banish these tensions and return to a state of serenity – which, lets face it, is how the morning should be enjoyed!