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Lesson 13 Characteristics of the Centers and Exercises for the Emotional Center

In the last few lessons we have pointed out some general characteristics of the centers; we will now proceed to other points about the relationships between the centers. The speed of response of the centers decreases as one ascends from center to center. The response speed also decreases in inverse relation to the attention used in the center. By “ascend,” we mean to move up from the vegetative center (the fastest to respond), to the motor center, then to the emotional center, and finally to the intellectual center (the slowest to respond). This same pattern holds for the parts of each center, which decrease in speed from the motor part of each center (the fastest) to the intellectual part of each center (the slowest). Therefore, the slowest part of all (which also works with the most attention) is the intellectual part of the intellectual center; conversely the fastest part of all is the motor part of the vegetative center. According to our model, when one pays intellectual attention to an emotion, the emotional response will calm and slow down, and when one pays attention to a body movement, it must also slow down. However, in practice it is not easy to pay sustained attention to movements or emotions, for as we shall see, the “lower” centers usually govern the “higher” ones, and not the other way around. This means it is easier to modify your emotions by making motor changes (the motor center is below the emotional center) than by using your intellect (which is above the emotional center). We observe that following the same pattern, negative emotions block the work of the intellectual center, while positive emotions activate the intellect, again showing that the lower center modifies the higher center. Let us see an example of the different speeds of the centers. Imagine that a man crosses the street carelessly, and a speeding car brakes to a stop just inches away from him. Our friend instantly jumps to one side and experiences muscular contractions that are strongest on the side exposed to danger. He also registers tension in his solar plexus. After this, his heart begins to pound strongly, and his breathing becomes uneven. A “cold shiver” runs through his spine and his legs begin to shake. These are the remains of motor and emotional overcharges from the earlier discharge of adrenaline into his bloodstream. Only after this chain of reactions which began with his jump to one side (a motor response), does he experience the sensation of fear (an emotional response). Our friend next begins to consider what might have happened to him in a series of confused and rapid images (a response of the motor part of the intellectual center). This whole process finally ends when he thinks about what he should do now in the situation (his response moves from the motor part to the emotional and intellectual parts of the intellectual center). At this point a whole new series of reactions may begin, or instead our friend may remain completely paralyzed, as though the centers were blocked and without any charge. The sexual center is a part of the vegetative center which collects and distributes energy to all the other centers. If just prior to the accident the sexual center had been mobilized, after the accident it would be left without any energy, its charge used, up in the over-activity of the other centers. Each center has its own characteristic cycle during which it charges up, and then discharges, and all of these cycles form a bio-rhythm particular to each person. You can easily see the daily rhythm when you notice that some hours are better than others for certain activities, for example, people usually sleep at night, etc. Over longer periods of time, one can observe repeating alternating periods of enthusiasm and depression, of greater and lesser activity in each of the centers. Although we will not develop this practice here, one can trace daily, monthly and even yearly cycles in the activities of the centers for each person. While these cycles are observable, they are not rigidly fixed and pre-determined. To return to our discussion on the relationship between the centers, a center, and also a part and sub-part, may work either negatively and absorb energy from an adjacent center, or it may work positively and give energy to an adjacent center, until finally the first center becomes discharged. The centers do not work in isolation; each works in a complete and interrelated structure with the others. Thus, incorrect functioning of one center will generate incorrect functioning in the other centers in a way that depends on whether the given center works in over-charge and overflows into the nearest center, whether it works in excessive discharge and absorbs energy from the nearest centers, or whether it blocks the passage of energy to the other centers. It is important to realize that while a lower center can easily modify a higher center, a lower center can be affected only by the motor part of a higher center. For example, abstract ideas (which occur in the intellectual part of the intellectual center) do not mobilize the emotional or motor centers. On the other hand, mental visual images (a function of the motor part of the intellectual center) can strongly activate emotions, body movements and sometimes even produce vegetative changes including illness or healing. Now let us proceed with practices for the emotional center.

Exercise Series 7: Motor Part of the Emotional Center In these exercises we will experience how certain stimuli can arouse small annoyances or negative emotions, and we will then learn methods to master these emotions. A) For this exercise, stand and face another person who places his hand over your face and then pushes your head backwards. Observe how this small annoyance can turn to stronger indignation if the exercise is repeated more vigorously. When you feel a certain degree of displeasure, repeat the exercise, but this time try to emotionally “disconnect” from the person who is provoking you. To emotionally disconnect, look at the other person as though from above, tilting your head back very slightly, and at the same time contract the muscles that pull your ears backwards. See the other person simply as an “object,” without any emotional charge whatsoever. Now, repeat Exercise A, connecting with the person and experiencing the unpleasant emotions created. Repeat the exercise again, but disconnect. Compare both states. You can increase your ability to disconnect by assuming correct bodily posture and quickly “breathing completely” (see Lesson 11) a few times. Repeat this exercise several times until you master it; it will be highly useful in everyday life to deal with particularly aggravating situations. B) Ask the other participants to criticize you out loud. It does not matter whether the criticisms are untrue or unfair, because the idea is to work on the emotional irritations which sometimes mobilize uncontrolled passion or anger. First, let yourself experience some discomfort, then disconnect from the other people. Repeat this exercise several times. C) Stand on a chair and sing a popular song in front of the other participants. You may recite a poem instead or do whatever makes you fell afraid or ridiculous before the public. Make an effort to disconnect. Repeat this several times. D) Shake hands with one of the other participants and have him or her try to make you laugh. Alternately connect and disconnect. It should be understood that these exercises are to be done in an atmosphere and a group of people that precludes any excesses or rudeness. Our goal is not to excite strong emotions, but rather to generate the smaller irritations at the root of stronger, sometimes uncontrolled emotional outbursts. This way you will gradually master the interesting and highly useful system of emotional disconnection. Practice disconnection regularly in everyday life and take notes of any difficulties you find.

Exercise Series 8: Emotional Part of the Emotional Center We are now going to work on trying to change our emotional habits by practicing emotional contradiction.” A) We already know of the relationship between emotional states and body postures. So, begin by assuming a posture that corresponds to complete and utter sadness, and at the same time say the happiest things you can think of. Keep the sad posture and try to feel very happy. Now reverse this; use a happy posture and try to feel sad. Repeat this and introduce variations. Take notes. B) Sit down and place an object you are indifferent to in front of you. Now, imagine that this object is related to a very tragic situation, until you experience some negative feelings. Then, quickly change and imagine the same object is instead related to something very comical. Observe whether you can produce both emotional states. If you cannot, help yourself by adopting the body postures that correspond to each emotional state. Remember that the emotions have some inertia, and there will be a few minutes lag before the new posture mobilizes the corresponding emotion. Repeat this several times until you can easily change from a tragic to a comic feeling about the same object. Take notes. C) Remember some situation from your life that was characterized by a strong negative feeling. Continue to remember it, but now apply the comic outlook. Reinforce this work with correct posture and complete breathing. Repeat this several times. In each case, first try to experience the same negative emotions the situation provoked in you when it originally happened. Only after you have first reached this negative state do you begin to change your outlook and work on it until the negative emotions are discharged. Remember to change your posture and breathe completely to help change your outlook to a positive one. Repeat this several times until you experience control of these states. Take notes. As an exercise between meetings, work on transforming any negative feelings related to people, places, situations, etc., which bother you. Do this exercise at least once a day until the next lesson.

Exercise Series 9: Intellectual Part of the Emotional Center The following exercises are to mobilize the intellectual or “intuitive” part of the emotional center, which is not very easy to do. Work in pairs with the other participants as follows: A) Try to grasp or understand some part of the life of your partner about which you have no previous information. Describe it to the person and later ask them to tell you how closely you described the real situation. Repeat this with other moments of their life or with other people. When everyone present does this exercise, you will be able to notice differences in intuitive capacity. Keep track of your score and by comparing it with the others, you will get an idea of your own capacity in this field. Take notes and discuss them with the other people. B) Next, have different people portray animals, objects, people or even situations, without saying a word. Have everyone try to guess what is being represented. Again you will see that different people have very different intuitive capacities, which correspond to having had different amounts of intuitive experience. Keep score and compare your results with the others. Repeat the exercise and take notes. IMPORTANT: There are three Exercise Series in this lesson. It is especially important to master the technique of disconnection. However, be sure to summarize the results of all three Exercise Series, and determine the ones you have the greatest difficulty with. Resolve to work on both disconnection and changing your emotional outlook during negative emotions until the next lesson.