Why We Suffer: The Role of the Feeler in Experiencing Reality

Introduction: The Nature of Suffering

Suffering, as we have explored, is the result of arguing with reality. Reality is not something we create but something given to us, comprised of the immutable past, subconscious predictions, and ideas. Each of these components is doing its job—none of them inherently cause suffering. The past does not generate remorse; ideas do not incite anger; and subconscious predictions do not provoke anxiety. Instead, suffering occurs through our unique relationship with these aspects of reality, filtered through our intrinsic ability to feel. This article delves into the fundamental source of suffering: our feeler—the part of us that senses and interprets the full spectrum of emotions and experiences.

The Feeler: Our Instrument for Experiencing Reality

Just as we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a nose to smell, we have a feeler to experience emotions. This feeler allows us to perceive the entire range of human emotions, much like our eyes allow us to see the entire spectrum of visible light. When we experience emotions such as anger, anxiety, or regret, these are not direct responses to external events but are mediated through the feeler’s resonance with reality.

The Role of the Feeler in Human Experience

1. Perception Beyond Sensation:

• The feeler does not just react to the external world; it actively resonates with different dimensions of reality. Whether we are engaging with the Immutable Past, subconscious predictions, or ideas, our feeler captures the emotional “color” of each experience. It allows us to feel the weight of past actions, the tension of misaligned predictions, and the intensity of conflicting ideas.

1. Distinguishing Feeling from Meaning:

• It is crucial to recognize that the feeler does not inherently assign meaning to these experiences. Just as seeing the color red does not automatically signify danger or joy, feeling anger or anxiety does not intrinsically point to wrongdoing or failure. These are interpretations we impose upon the raw experience of feeling.

1. The Feeler as a Tool for Discovering Love:

• The ultimate purpose of the feeler is to discover and report on love. Love, in this sense, is not merely a positive emotion but a deeper recognition of connection and understanding. The feeler allows us to navigate the full range of human experience, from joy to sorrow, as we uncover the multifaceted expressions of love in all aspects of reality.

The Three Contributors and Their Role in Reality

1. The Immutable Past: Feeling Regret and Remorse

The past is fixed and unchangeable, providing us with the Actual. When our feeler resonates with the past, it may produce feelings of regret, guilt, or remorse. This does not mean the past is causing these emotions. Instead, it is our feeler responding to a reality that we cannot alter. Recognizing this distinction can alleviate the intensity of these emotions, as we understand they are merely the feeler’s response to the immutable nature of the past.

2. Subconscious Predictions: Feeling Anxiety

Subconscious predictions shape our expectations of the future. When these predictions fail to align with reality, our feeler picks up on the dissonance, resulting in anxiety or unease. Again, the subconscious is not at fault; it is simply making predictions based on past data. The anxiety we feel is a natural signal from the feeler, alerting us to a discrepancy between expectation and reality.

3. Ideas: Feeling Anger and Frustration

Ideas, such as fairness, hierarchy, symmetry, and significance, each hold a singular, uncompromising perspective. When our feeler resonates with an idea, such as fairness, it may trigger feelings of anger or frustration if reality does not align with that idea’s principles. For example, fairness might proclaim, “I am equal pay,” and if we find ourselves in a situation where this principle is violated, our feeler experiences anger. It is not the idea causing the anger but our identification with the idea in a particular context.

The Separation of Self and Feeler

It is essential to distinguish between our true self and the feeler. The true self is the observer, the witness to all experiences, while the feeler is the instrument through which we perceive emotions. The feeler, like any other sense, is part of our human apparatus but does not define us. We are the ones who experience these emotions, but we are not the emotions themselves.

The Feeler as a Separate Entity

1. The True Self:

• The true self, with a capital “S,” is the essence of our being, distinct from the emotions we experience. It is the witness that observes the feeler’s resonance with reality, much like an observer watching a play unfold without becoming entangled in the drama.

1. The Feeler’s Role in Human Experience:

• The feeler’s purpose is to resonate with all aspects of reality, allowing us to feel deeply and fully. This capacity is essential for our role as history makers, representing humanity’s unique ability to engage with the world emotionally and report on the diverse manifestations of love.

Avoiding Misinterpretation: Don’t Argue with Reality

Just as we do not blame our eyes for seeing a red rose, we should not blame our feeler for experiencing emotions like anger or regret. The feeler is merely doing its job. Suffering occurs when we argue with this natural process—when we assign undue meaning to these feelings or try to suppress them. By understanding that the feeler is simply resonating with the reality presented to it, we can begin to accept our emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

The Path to Emotional Clarity

1. Acceptance of the Feeler’s Role:

• Accept that the feeler will experience all emotions, from joy to despair. It is designed to do so. There is no need to resist or judge these feelings. Instead, observe them as you would any sensory experience.

1. Disengaging from Emotional Over-Identification:

• Recognize that you are not the emotions you experience. You are the observer, the true self, who perceives these emotions through the feeler. This perspective allows you to engage with reality without being consumed by it.

1. Embracing Reality as It Is:

• Reality will present a range of experiences, from injustice to inequality to oppression. Your feeler will resonate with these experiences, producing emotions that reflect the situation. Rather than argue with these feelings, acknowledge them as natural responses to the reality presented to you.

Conclusion: Discovering Love Through the Feeler

The feeler is our instrument for navigating the complex terrain of human experience. It allows us to perceive and interpret reality in all its dimensions, providing us with the emotional insight necessary to discover and report on love. By understanding the role of the feeler and its relationship with the Immutable Past, subconscious predictions, and ideas, we can approach our emotions with greater clarity and acceptance. Suffering, then, becomes not a burden to be avoided but a natural part of our journey in experiencing and understanding the fullness of love in all its forms.