BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THROUGH EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION

Although this can be taken many ways, we all have feelings. Unless we are plagued with a condition similar to leprosy, we can feel the difference between tactile sensations such as hot and cold, right? That is a feeling. Of course, if we are speaking in terms of physical sensation, there are a wide variety of sensations that could fit into the spectrum of discomfort and comfort. Most of us, given the perception of choice, would consciously make decisions leading to greater comfort - rather than the intentional choice to feel discomfort, or pain. Very few people would elect to be starved, tortured and forced to endure dying a slow, agonizing death - right? With that in mind, I know this may seem like a silly question: Why do so many of us make that choice anyways?

I don’t know about you, but I think emotions are tactile physical sensations that can be the direct and immediate cause of dismal suffering, immense pleasure and comfortable middle grounds. You could even think of our emotions as physical, tactile sensations brought about by our perception of reality. Sensations brought about by the thoughts that flow through our minds. There are literally thousands of words you can use to describe the different emotions we can feel, but when it comes down to it, the tactile sensations, or actual feeling brought about by our differing feelings does not vary all that much. A feeling or emotion can either cause us to feel tight on subtle levels, or expanded, and open.

For example, stress has certain physical characteristics that differ from serenity. Various medical studies have showed us that stress is closely linked to being in a state of “fight or flight” without an outlet - and lays the groundwork for weight gain, weakened immune function, reduced digestive effectiveness - even a shorted life span. Simply put, if you are consistently in stress you are, in essence, starving yourself, feeling agony and dying a slow death complete with suffering. Think about it. Stress is an emotional experience, is it not? Stress, in many, if not all ways, is directly linked to our perception of reality, is it not?

So one question that could arise from what has been stated so far; what do we commonly do to avoid the constituting emotions that form the feeling of stress?

Can you say SEX, DRUGS, and ROCK N ROLL!!!

Dopamine is a substance released by our brain as a “reward” mechanism for engaging in activities that feel good. Sex, for most of us, is pleasurable, hence releasing dopamine. Drugs, of various sorts trigger the brain into releasing dopamine - at first. Please don’t forget: Pharmaceuticals ARE drugs - many of which are specifically formulated to facilitate the release of dopamine. Rock n roll, the way I intended it to be used is more of a metaphor for natural activities that call for the body to dump adrenaline (fight or flight, WITH an outlet) - in turn releasing dopamine.

Could you understand the undeniable dilemma so many of us face in these changing times? What happens when the way you relate to erotic energy causes stress, the drugs no longer work and you are simply too busy, for whatever reason, for rock n roll? This is the point where I extend the invitation to contemplate the title of this article and ask how that force is at work in your life.

Personally, I feel a solution is becoming willing to change the way you perceive this reality. Our beloved by some, President Obama made a lot of noise on the road to his apparent election with the promise of “Change”. Yes Mr. Obama, this place is changing. Fast. Thanks for the heads up. I don’t know about you, but I have come across more and more people these days who seem more and more adamant to hold onto “the way things were” with such conviction that they are losing more than just sleep.

In a rapidly changing world, I have decided to do what I can to examine my relationship to sex, drugs and rock n roll. Some of the practices I share have - and continue to expand my understanding of a much bigger picture that seems to be becoming more and more clear to many more of us. I write mostly as an invitation for you. To just think - and feel.

Namaste,
Paul Bunting