Emotional Mastery

[Brody]

Hi, I've been meditating everyday now for about a year and I have very little emotional intelligence. I was wondering just how important is it, and if it's worth going after at this point or should I just wait till enlightenment my main problem is I meditate 3-4 hours a day so i don't get a chance to go out as much and therefore most of my emotions are subtle.

[Ananta]

Maybe try meditating throughout the day, when your out and about. Where stuff really kicks up (emotions, thoughts, feelings). Other then tons of Self-inquiry, that's basically what I've done. I was not really one for formal meditation practice. Imo, 3-4 hours a day is too much.

[SOUL]

Well, seeking "mastery" of any sort with regard to inner work is  a trap, although exercising awareness  in the present moment can influence emotional response in a healthy way. Becoming aware of emotional triggers and associations is the initial step and then creating new patterns in place of the old ones will be an effective way in transforming your emotional landscape.

Edited July 19, 2017 by SOUL

[Max_V]

Yes, becoming aware of an emotional trigger directly starts to heal it. 

Watch how your mind reacts to certain events, be very grounded and remind yourself 'you' are witnessing it.

[pluto]

Travel is also very important for the soul and emotional and mental discipline.

Meditation is one side of the coin, we must find balance in order to thrive.

[AlwaysBeNice]

Learn to be compassionate towards everything that comes up, I think the conditioned reaction naturally is to have been judging the emotions to keep them suppressed. From what I understand emotional freedom is one part of enlightenment but Self realization can happen before (or after it).

I would say give enough attention to both, when functioning in the world just being mindful of your own body is certainly a powerful practice, it's the key to self-knowledge as all your suppressed stuff is located there.