The Importance of Feelings

The machinery of life does not run smoothly unless the right conditions exist. Meanness, pettiness, weakness spring from lack of knowledge of our true heritage. We must be conscious of the Power which makes the machine run. 

We must have feelings. The outer alone cannot nourish the loftier impulses of the heart. It cannot satisfy the hunger of the soul. It cannot quench the thirst of the spirit.

 Swami Paramanada Cited in his book, Daily Thoughts and Prayers

I find this teaching to be a helpful reminder of a foundational truth about our lives… Namely, we live our real and true lives from the inside-out. For me, [It is the similar understanding when Carl Jung declares that the person who lives on the outside of awareness dreams, but those in touch or in an inner correspondence with their intuitions will awaken…] 

Life lived in accordance with the shallow and often conforming expectations of a society rather than a life lived wholeheartedly from our aspirations and our abiding sense of purpose defines the artificial life from the real…  Not that occasionally some artifice could be a wise deflecting or de-escalating strategy when dealing with obstinate and willful people, it is the ongoing need for integrity and a sense of authenticity that should compel our feelings and guide our actions.

Another facet of what I think the Swami is pointing to is the dreadful state of many humans and the exist when they are devoid of an interior source of motivation, sense of promise or purpose, or when the work they do feels devoid of meaning we can quickly descend into a hostile approach to the world.

The timeless remedy, of course, it to immerse oneself in spiritual studies to create a solid yet resilient sense of identity and purpose by following God….

But if that is not your path or opportunity, it is still advocating for the inclusion and recognition of God/Spiritual presence in your life.

It is taking our intentions and declaring that the spiritual dimension of our lives is as equally important and vital to our sense of well being or to living a whole life.