That was a good hint, "lest one remain a machine". And helped me hone in on the definition of emotions when I thought it through today.

And suddenly I am seeing what you mean by mindfulness! It's so helpful to have this term and definition. Because I was referring to mindfulness as consciousness, but mindfulness is more - it is refinement of consciousness, consciousness becoming conscious.

I agree with and have understood to some degree the negative and positive path to mindfulness that you have defined (thank you). I have walked on both. I have always believed in the concept of freedom for all thoughts (even if I did not practice it fully within myself). Denying or banishing thoughts is harmful, but I didn't know how I was supposed to deal with them then when they were not helpful/conducive so I've alternated between banishing them and giving them total freedom, neither of which were the answer.

However, recently I experienced emotions that were not practical for me but persisted in reaction to a scenario I kept experiencing. I did not want to deny the emotion's existence, it was strong and made me feel rushes of adrenalin, but I didn't know what to do about it. Should I avoid the experience(s) that triggers this emotion? It seemed wrong and somewhat impractical, too. I then realized that I should (to use your term) relinquish that emotion in that instance. I just told myself, Stop it, when I started experiencing it. It seems to be working. It's like I am saying, I hear you, but the answer is "no".


I understand. Thank you.

Also, thank you for inviting me to elaborate on my understanding of mind, heart, feelings and emotions. What a good exercise this was for me to sit down and sort it out on paper. For your consideration and comment:

The mind is identity, interpreter, orchestrator, collator, operating system (OS).
The heart is divination/a compass for truth.
Feelings are drives, desires, will.
Emotions are expressions/mechanisms of survival instincts or fear (they are bodily based).