Is showing/not showing emotion powerful/not powerful?

[Trevor]

I am watching a music video. Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet Tour", and the song with the Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again." has just begun playing.
It got me wondering what emotion really is, and whether the presentation of emotion is a form of control or beauty?
Here is what I'm watching for the first time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F_3_t2Gi6U
Oh no! I tried the link but it won't play. At least you know where it is.

[liquidharmony]

I think that the expression of emotion through body language is beautiful and universal even between species. it takes a deeper connection or maybe less connection with the self to physically show emotion. The verbalization, understanding, and hiding of emotion all cheapen the experience. but from an entrepreneurial stand point, the ability to hide emotion is one of the strongest attributes a person can have. I guess being able to feel all emotions is the most powerful thing. some people are only able to feel a select few.

[Vana]

Originally Posted by liquidharmony

I think that the expression of emotion through body language is beautiful and universal even between species. it takes a deeper connection or maybe less connection with the self to physically show emotion. The verbalization, understanding, and hiding of emotion all cheapen the experience. but from an entrepreneurial stand point, the ability to hide emotion is one of the strongest attributes a person can have. I guess being able to feel all emotions is the most powerful thing. some people are only able to feel a select few.

Emotion is a sort of memory. It comes on cue. It is in response to. When emotion comes first, and colors an experience, we call that prejudice; when emotion comes after, like the striking of a note, emotion is the music, and like hitting the note, it is a choice. We shouldn't even give the expression of our emotions a thought; to perceive our emotions as expression, we have to step out of ourselves, and see our selves as an other. The capitalist seems to be a sadist, but hopefully he is not really misanthropic at heart: he is deceived by shadows, and he chooses the devil.

Originally Posted by Trevor

I am watching a music video. Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet Tour", and the song with the Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again." has just begun playing.
It got me wondering what emotion really is, and whether the presentation of emotion is a form of control or beauty?
Here is what I'm watching for the first time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F_3_t2Gi6U
Oh no! I tried the link but it won't play. At least you know where it is.

Emotion is a choice. Some might say that even primary sensory input are an act of will, Gurus can go above pain; and emotions too, like our thoughts and actions are acts of will also. Emotion is control: when you feel sad, anxious, or angry so that the emotions are the true original resonance of the experience; emotion is out-of control when emotions give you preconceptions about what to expect or how to behave.

[akatsuki]

Originally Posted by Vana

Emotion is a sort of memory. It comes on cue.

Emotion is a choice. Some might say that even primary sensory input are an act of will, Gurus can go above pain; and emotions too, like our thoughts and actions are acts of will also. Emotion is control: when you feel sad, anxious, or angry so that the emotions are the true original resonance of the experience; emotion is out-of control when emotions give you preconceptions about what to expect or how to behave.

Vana I agree with you..

[the_aphid]

Originally Posted by Vana

Emotion is a sort of memory. It comes on cue. It is in response to.
...
Emotion is a choice.

My apologies, but I couldn't help but address what seems to be a contradiction.

Emotional response, the response to a stimulus, is hardly a choice in my opinion. At best, what you could say is this: How we act in response to our stimulated emotions is up to us, and these actions can either reinforce or attenuate particular volitional tendencies. These actions in the present will influence our emotional response to similar stimuli in the future. Therefore, choices do influence our emotional response, however indirectly.

As an example, in a moment of anger it is not our choice to feel anger, it is our choice how we react to anger. We cannot simply turn off anger in an instant. However, we can respond to that emotion in a multitude of ways, and how we choose to respond, such as lashing out or attempting to remain calm, will inevitable influence our emotional responses in the future. By choosing a particular type of response, you in turn influence the type of emotional reaction you receive from particular stimuli.

[Bodhi]

I think emotion is very powerful, it is like fuel. It propels us into action.

The choice lies in how we chose to interpret the emotion. How we act as a result of this intrinsic emotional state.
Pain, anger, grief or guilt does not mean you must suffer.
We can feel the emotion, let it wash over us and grow from it, learn how we can better ourselves and others from such an experience.... perhaps?

[blakeh]

I feel that that reason for the repression or expression of an emotion is more important than the act itself. A person who is unwilling to show love for another because they fear appearing "soft" could be called a coward. The same person who suppresses intimate love for a close friend because they know that expressing that emotion would destroy the friendship could be called noble.

Those who leave their souls open for scrutiny are truly the bravest of us all.

[jaggia]

Originally Posted by the_aphid

My apologies, but I couldn't help but address what seems to be a contradiction.

Emotional response, the response to a stimulus, is hardly a choice in my opinion. At best, what you could say is this: How we act in response to our stimulated emotions is up to us, and these actions can either reinforce or attenuate particular volitional tendencies. These actions in the present will influence our emotional response to similar stimuli in the future. Therefore, choices do influence our emotional response, however indirectly.

As an example, in a moment of anger it is not our choice to feel anger, it is our choice how we react to anger. We cannot simply turn off anger in an instant. However, we can respond to that emotion in a multitude of ways, and how we choose to respond, such as lashing out or attempting to remain calm, will inevitable influence our emotional responses in the future. By choosing a particular type of response, you in turn influence the type of emotional reaction you receive from particular stimuli.

Having doors in your emotional boundries and controlling your emotions is what is called "maturity". Being selection in your response and type of response is the key.