Hello. I'm Hijiri Fujishima from Jibunrashiku LLC.
In the previous blog post, I explored "living true to oneself" from the perspectives of the gradient between inner and outer selves, the viewpoints of relying on others versus oneself, and the aspects of Japanese society and education. This time, as a continuation, I would like to delve into "emotions," which are essential for deeply understanding "one's true self."
"Emotions" are "Your True Self" Itself
What is "authenticity"... I believe it is probably a collection of what you feel in your "heart."
Aren't "emotions" like "Huh, what does that mean?", "Why?", "I feel vaguely uneasy," "I'm thrilled!", "I'm happy," "I feel excited," "I'm sad," "I'm annoyed!" connected to our "essence"?
We tend to try to make emotions "non-existent," labeling them as "shameful," "people who show emotions are immature," or "emotional people are vulgar." Sometimes, this is even perceived as an aesthetic.
However, it is humans who label "emotions" as "good" or "bad" in the first place. Emotions themselves are not "evil." Rather, many people have "succeeded" by using so-called negative emotions as motivation. Depending on "how you use them," they can become either good or bad, can't they?
I believe that what makes them seem bad is probably because we "vent them directly onto the person in front of us," and "emotions" themselves are not inherently bad.
"Emotions" are "Energy" that Naturally Arises
"Emotions" are "energy" that naturally well up from the "depths of the heart." It might be easier to think of them as the "magma" of the Earth. The emotions that arise are neither something to be controlled nor something that can be controlled. This is because emotions sometimes possess immense power beyond imagination.
What is important is how you handle those emotions. Accumulated emotional energy can be released as energy through exercise, singing, and other activities. I've heard that people who develop mental illnesses are almost without exception lacking in exercise, and there's also a theory that people store and preserve "emotions" in their bodies.
In short, let's consider them as something that explodes due to some trigger when "accumulated" or "held onto"... in other words, like "gas" or a "magma reservoir." I think it's fair to consider emotions as the element of "fire."
"Fire," when too large, can cause harm like fires, but when appropriately adjusted, it can become a "good thing" used for cooking meals or baths. "Emotions" are the same; how you use them is crucial.
Isn't it natural to "feel" joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, and can't we consider them undeniably representative of "the true self that wells up within us"?
Encountering "Your True Self" Guided by Introspection
People who try not to feel such "emotions" are probably also those who are bad at "introspection." Perhaps they are afraid to touch their true sorrow. Even after trying hard, working harder than others, and living a cool life, they might not want to realize that the true nature of the "loneliness" that can't be filled, no matter how hard they try, is actually, "I wanted to be pampered by my mother!" or "I wanted to be loved!" It's probably much easier to keep saying, "My parents were bad."
Turning your gaze inward requires a great deal of courage. It's easier not to know the true desires slumbering in the depths of your heart, by reflecting only on shallow aspects that won't hurt too much, and everyone is afraid of getting hurt.
However, this "suffering" and "discomfort" are actually "doors to magical items." By turning your attention to them, a completely different world can unfold.
Facing Emotions to Understand the Outline of "Your Self"
In short, you cannot ignore "emotions" to understand "your true self."
- Why am I so angry?
- That person's words made me sad.
- Why is that?
By delving deeper in this way, the outline of "your self" gradually becomes visible. Deep down, there might be a very spoiled, very cute, and earnest, small self.
If you can meet that small self, and if you can embrace her (him) yourself, "you" can increasingly spread your wings and live vibrantly. I myself realized, "I want to sing!" in this way.
Once you start making progress in that world, it becomes easier to gain a broader perspective. For example, you become more aware of "the part of you that wants to criticize others." It's like observing from slightly behind, thinking, "Ah, there's that part of me that wants to blame others for such things." You observe without criticizing. Eventually, each time that part of you emerges, you observe it, thinking, "There it is! That self has appeared again," and as you feel it quietly depart, the presence of "the self that cherishes oneself" grows larger, and eventually, you will be more likely to meet "people who live by cherishing themselves" in the same way.
When that happens, your worldview will increasingly change, and you should gain more allies.
I will provide a summary in the next installment.