#247 The Court of Emotions – Who is responsible for how you feel?
In a distant realm of experience, a unique court convened. This was not a court of law, but a court of emotions. Here, individuals were summoned to explain their roles in shaping the feelings of one particular jiva.
The jiva known as Mr Jeeves, had experienced a roller-coaster journey of emotions throughout life. Now it was time to hold those who had caused his emotions accountable. The court was set, and the accused were summoned to stand trial.
Accused #1: The Partner
Jeeves’ partner, stood before the court. The prosecutor’s accusation was clear: “You, Partner, are responsible for all the joys and sorrow that Jeeves has experienced. Since the time Jeeves fell in love with you, he felt such intensity of every emotion. He felt intensely passionate and intensely angry at different times all because of you and your behaviour.’
The Partner defended themselves, saying, “I have loved Jeeves deeply. We have a good marriage and I too have gone through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. But I reject the charge of being the culprit. In fact, I have helped him heal from some of his past like he too has helped. I cannot be held solely responsible for Jeeves’ emotions. It is worth checking how his parents played a role in how he turned out. Our relationship is a partnership, and we both contribute to its ups and downs.”
Accused #2: The Parents
Jeeves’ parents were next in line. The prosecutor claimed, You, Parents, have imprinted early emotional scars on his tender mind. Whatever he learned about emotions – what is acceptable and what is not, how to express emotions such as love, anger, tenderness, fear, he has learnt from you. It is a clear open and shut case’
The Parents replied, “We did our best as parents, but we are not responsible for every choice Jeeves has made in life. From teenage years, the influences in his life included friends, social media, education, sports, music and extended family as well. All of them have contributed to the emotions he has experienced and the learning has shaped the choices he has made.
It is true that we were the early influencers but certainly not the last and certainly not the determining factors for how he has built his emotional life. Work has been the biggest chunk of his life. Please check with his work colleagues”
Accused #3: Work Colleagues
Next up were Jeeves’ colleagues, accused of causing stress and anxiety. The prosecutor argued, “You, Colleagues, have burdened Jeeves with heavy workload, vague job profile and office politics. Jeeves developed lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes just after working in the office for six years’
The Colleagues countered, “We work together as a team, and the stress of our jobs affects all of us. We can’t control everything, and we’ve always supported Jeeves in tough times. Even the caveman and the hunter had stress. We all learn to regulate stress. What can we do if Jeeves has not learnt to regulate his stress and allowed it to snowball? Actually after his children were born, he changed dramatically. It was the stress of raising twins that he does not want to admit. You should check with his children.
Accused #4: The Children
Jeeves ‘ own twin daughters were brought forward, accused of causing parental stress. The prosecutor declared, “You, children, have caused sleepless nights and worry for Jeeves. He only thinks of providing the best for you. Because he had not expected that twins would arrive, he goes through love, anger, frustration, helplessness at not being able to provide enough for you”
The Children said, “We are deeply loved by Dad. He keeps telling us that we have added meaning to his life. We didn’t choose to be born. Dad and our Mumma chose to give birth. If they have taken the responsibility they have to fulfil it, right?
Accused #5 Friends
Jeeves’ friends, his closest companions, stood before the court. The prosecutor argued, “You, friends, have influenced Jeeves’ emotions and choices.”
The Friends replied, ” Yes we have had our share of fights. We have also made up. As friends we are there for each other. We have had a lot of fun times. Yes, we have given him advice. But we do not control Jeeves’ life. His path is his own to walk.”
Accused # 6: The Planets
The Planets, personified as celestial beings, faced accusations. Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and the others Rahu and Ketu floated into the courtroom. The prosecutor alleged, “You, Planets, have influenced Jeeves’ fate and emotions through astrology. Because of your position in Jeeves astrological chart, you influence his moods, his thought patterns, the people in his life, phase of opportunities, the kind of sadhana he needs to do – everything!”
The Planets argued, “We move according to cosmic laws. We do not cause anything to happen in Jeeves life. In fact Jeeves‘ astrological chart is a reflection of his own karma patterns. Is n’t he lucky that he gets to see the pattern of the punya and paapa he has done?
While we may influence events, we do not dictate emotions. Jeeves’s choices matter more than the alignment of the stars. You really need to check with Bhagavan”
Accused #7 God or Bhagavan
The divine figure of God was summoned to the court. The prosecutor charged, “Sorry, I am just doing my job. You, God, have allowed suffering and pain in Jeeves life.”
Bhagavan responded objectively, “I have given Jeeves the gift of free will. I pervade the law of karma. But what karma is to be done, jiva decides. Due to my impartial law of karma, jiva experiences sukha and dukkha according to punya and paapa.
When the jiva does acts of dharma, he is happy and when others act with dharma, jiva is happy. On the other hand when the jiva is not aligned to dharma, hurts the other, wastes resources, the jiva is not happy.
I have created the psychological order of emotions. All emotions – happiness, anger, sadness, fear, cheerfulness, excitement, enthusiasm, you name it. I have created it!
And still, I am not responsible for every emotion the jiva feels. Sometimes Jeeves just builds up sadness by lamenting on all that he does not have rather than focusing on what he does have. He chooses to think in ways that make him feel anxious. What can I do about it?
The court of emotions deliberated, and the verdict was clear. While each accused had played a role in shaping Jeeves emotions, no single entity was solely responsible. Emotions were a complex interplay of life experiences, choices, and external influences.
The judge, Wisdom, delivered the final verdict: ‘What you feel depends on so many factors. No single entity can bear the weight of another’s feelings. Rather than consider all these people as the accused and blaming them, perhaps you can be thankful that all have been present in your emotional journey. ’
‘It is no one’s fault but everyone’s responsibility in ways big and small including your own responsibility of how you feel. It is through understanding all of the above, going through a range of emotions and most importantly being witness to all these emotions that one grows. Jeeves you have grown indeed!
‘For wasting the court ‘s time, you now have to do more loving actions for atleast a month towards all of the accused. ’
And so, the court of emotions concluded, leaving Jeeves to continue his journey, wiser, happier and freer than he had ever been before.
