Our Reddit post for Jan 13/26:

follow us in the Reddit community at r/EnlightenedFeelings

Emotions have no factor whatsoever in a person's level of spirituality or enlightenment: In 2006 I proved scientifically that emotions are one of our senses. At that time I coined the phrase 'the 7th sense'.

Every one of our senses -- including emotions -- are designed to keep us safe, happy, and aware as we interact with the world. The function of feelings is to ensure we get our needs met ... happy feelings = all is right in my world. Negative feelings = something isn't right and needs to be changed.

That's why negative feelings are LOUD! They require action on our part. Just like our sense of taste and touch, emotions are a metabolic function. They are not proof of evolutionary superiority. Feelings are catalysts for regulatory functions via the release of neuro-peptides--the chemical proteins that regulate all our body functions). That's why emotions affect our health.

Humans are not the only 'sentient' beings. EVERY living thing that has a nervous system has now been proven to be fully sentient (possesses/expresses emotions) ... animals, plants, trees, reptiles, birds, and even insects and single-cell organisms. The very planet is sentient.

Sentience is actually intrinsic to the consciousness of all existence--it all resides within our valence electrons (proven by quantum physicist William Tiller at Stanford U). Emotions are integral to your very being.

Higher emotions are intrinsic--ie: they flow in and out of you from the universe. Negative emotions flow outwardly FROM you. You are their source.

Enlightenment and "Enlightened" feelings is not about setting aside, ignoring, or rising above your feelings. When you do that you automatically ignore your perceptions and needs. You can never be happy or serene if you do that. It is about listening to their message, and consciously deciding what you want to do with that message that creates enlightenment. EG: Anger reveals something isn't fair. It makes you want to act to fix that.

Happiness is your natural state--not just your enlightened state. It is your intrinsic connection to 'the All'. Everything else you have LEARNED. Enlightenment is exactly what the word says--lightening up, releasing, or transcending the burden of your negative emotions to restore the universal ALL (happiness, joy, inner peace)