Emotional Self-Control PART III.

by Fr. E.S.Q.S.

Non-identification

The final method that will be considered here is non-identification. In a sense, when we are examining our bases, we are already beginning to practice non-identification – after all, when we take the time to turn our emotional responses into an object for analysis, we are – in effect – separating ourselves from those emotional responses. We are identifying with our mind, our thoughts, our thinking, and leaving those emotions behind (as best we can). The greater our success in non-identification here, the better, the more accurate our analysis will be. That being said, non-identification shouldn’t just happen when we decide to examine our bases occasionally; rather, it must – in due course of time – become a permanent way of being. The only way for that to happen is to practice non-identification as often as we can possibly remember to do so.

Proof that this way of being is possible already exists with a great many people. After all, how many people reading this have grasped the fact that “they” (their Self) is something different from their dense, physical organism (49:5-7)? Many people have done so. They no longer (truly) identify with the dense, physical organism (49:5-7); rather, they identify with some higher type and/or kind of envelope and its consciousness. Generally, this is man’s emotional consciousness (48:2-7) and, so, now this is (improperly) called mans “soul”. One step further, and man will finally identify with his mental consciousness (47:4-7) and no longer identify with his emotional consciousness (48:2-7); no longer be merely a product of desires – both his own and those he has received telepathically from the emotional world (world 48) around him. Finally, in some far distant future, he will identify with his true “soul”, his causal consciousness (47:1-3) and, so, be able to command all of his human consciousnesses from the top down. Then he will be what he was always supposed to be: a causal self, a complete human being on the verge of becoming super-human (i.e.: an essential self). One important method of making this a reality is to practice non-identification: to distance oneself from the consciousness there is in the envelopes; to grasp the difference between the Self and the not-Self, the subject and the object, the observer and the observed. This produces a necessary distancing and allows the Self to identify with higher types and kinds of consciousness. If you are not your dense, physical organism and its content of sensations (49:5-7), then you must be something else. If you are not your emotional consciousness and its content of feelings (48:2-7), then you must be something else. If you are not your mental consciousness and its content of thoughts (47:4-7), then you must be something else. You will, eventually, find yourself in the causal envelope (47:1-3). You will become aware of yourself as something different, something separate from your envelopes and the consciousness. Non-identification is a part of that very process.

The less we identify with something, the more “objective” we become in examining a matter, the more impartial, the greater control we will have. Control of emotions is ultimately effected by our thoughts. Thinking is the method of controlling feeling. Examining our bases, examining our feelings, is the method. The less we identify with those emotions we wish to examine, the greater our objectivity and impartiality, the greater control we will have. Practicing non-identification with lowly emotions should be a constant endeavor of ours. The moment we feel a pang of hurt (for example), we should dissociate from it immediately; we should see it for what it is – an insensible, reactionary, mechanical response from the (emotional) envelope. It is not our feeling; rather, it is the envelopes feeling. We – the Self, a Self that knows happiness, joy, and bliss – would never consciously choose to feel such a lowly thing; however, our envelopes make no such distinctions. Our envelopes are not conscious. They are (relatively) unconscious. They are undiscerning. They are like puppets on a string, dancing to the tune of the world. Whatever consciousness and energy affects them is mirrored in them. If we identify with the envelope and its consciousness, then we too become (relatively) unconscious. We forget our Self. We become our envelope and we suffer as a result. We hurt because we have identified with the hurt feeling.

In Summation

The material in question is probably inexhaustible; however, I cannot continue writing forever. As such, I will conclude the matter here with a quick summation. Emotional self-control is a very important thing – and this is especially true for those of us who would venture to become aspirants and disciples. Probably this matter more to aspirants than disciples, given that disciples are supposed to be well on their way to a mastery of the first self and even beginning the work of the second self. That being said, emotional self-control is no small and insignificant matter. Anyone who is tired of being tossed about like a dinghy on a stormy sea is ready to begin this work. Others who revel in a chaotic inner life (of emotions and thoughts), who have no understanding of the necessity of control of consciousness, are not ready. The Self wants to get a hold of its envelopes. The Self wants to get a hold of the not-Self. This is perfectly natural. As the Sun rules over the solar system, so, too, is man – the Self – interested in ruling over his own little system, getting hold of the chaos in his envelopes and bringing them to order. No one else can do this for him. He must do it himself. There are no short-cuts. There are no tricks. There are no cheats. There is only hard work and toil. As man has let the (emotional) envelope run wild for so long, for just so many lives, now he will have to finally restrain it with an equally amount of effort. Three methods mentioned here include intentional feeling, examining the bases, and non-identification. These are probably not the only methods available and I have probably not explained them nearly as well as I should have; however, it is a start for those who have just begun. It is a first step – a few words from someone, just like them, who has been practicing these very things. My words, then, are words of experience. It is not just a bunch of useless theory. It is insight from lived experience. Take what you will from it as you choose.

Thanks for your time,

Sincerely,

Fr. E.S.Q.S.