The Value of Psychic Emotions in Spiritual Development

Energy is neutral until it is used. The direction and intention behind the use of the energy can determine whether it is being applied for growth or destruction (in the most material forms) or whether, on a subtle basis in anyone’s life, for development or distraction or disturbance. Fire can cook food, or burn the house down.

Emotions channel and direct energy. If directed towards the satisfaction of the desires, or in reaction to impacts from outside, they can be extremely disruptive, at best a distraction. If directed toward the spiritual development, emotions can provide an energy that can help to break through the walls that we have between the external being and the inner psychic being.

This is the underlying force for realisation in what is known as Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion. An intense aspiration, a sense of deep consecration and self-giving, love for the Divine, compassion and peaceful goodwill are all elements that can help the emotional being focus on this inner development and express the nature of the psychic being in the external life.

Sri Aurobindo notes: “It is only the ordinary vital emotions which waste the energy and disturb the concentration and peace that have to be discouraged. Emotion itself is not a bad thing; it is a necessary part of the nature, and psychic emotion is one of the most powerful helps to the sadhana. Psychic emotion, bringing tears of love for the Divine or tears of Ananda, ought not to be suppressed: it is only a vital mixture that brings disturbance in the sadhana.”

reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, The Psychic Being — Soul: Its Nature, Mission and Evolution, Section 6 More Lights on the Psychic Being, pg. 187