Pain often leads to negative emotions. This includes physical pain from injuries or illnesses, as well as emotional pain from heartbreak, betrayal, exclusion, ridicule, criticism, or slander. Negative emotions also arise when reality unfolds differently from expectations. The greater the gap between ideals and reality, the deeper these negative emotions become. The causes of negative emotions are complex and delicate, with countless possibilities. However, these causes do not hold the same significance for everyone; what is trivial for one person can be deeply meaningful for another.
This principle applies equally to objects, ideas, and values. People inevitably hold different views about what is right. Some value family above wealth, while others prioritize money over family. These differing values can lead to conflicts, causing mutual hurt and negativity. Resolving these conflicts requires mutual understanding and compromise. However, conflicts often worsen because the stronger party attempts unilateral dominance. To minimize such conflicts, practicing fundamental ethical principles like Christianity’s Ten Commandments or Buddhism’s Noble Eightfold Path is useful.
Individual emotions also require compromise. Blindly sacrificing oneself and enduring silently, or reacting with anger to deny or aggressively remove the cause, both lead to destructive outcomes. The most fundamental solution is genuine love. Religious teachings like the Ten Commandments and Noble Eightfold Path can reduce human selfishness and foster genuine love and mutual understanding. A parent’s sacrifice for a child exemplifies genuine love; the parent does not perceive hardship as suffering because the child embodies the parent’s identity subconsciously. The idea of offspring carrying on one’s genetic legacy allows for boundless love. Yet, genuine love need not begin with biological relationships. With mutual respect and understanding, genuine love can also be learned and practiced in relationships with others.
Humans are imperfect, finite beings incapable of transcendence, thus completely escaping pain is impossible. Negative emotions, therefore, are natural occurrences. When negative feelings arise, I immediately release them rather than suppressing them, as suppression can cause greater harm. Instead, within boundaries that do not harm others, I shout, swear, and express negativity openly. In a safe space, I throw, kick, or punch to physically release my negative feelings. Eventually, this process clears my mind. Simultaneously, I strive to understand the perspectives and circumstances of those who triggered these emotions. This approach not only dissipates negativity but also fosters relationship restoration and long-term emotional peace. This is how I currently disperse the dark clouds from my heart.
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