Freedom from Negative Emotions

Freedom from Negative Emotions

In our study of Spinoza, we have found that there are three levels of knowledge.

1. The first level of knowledge is hearsay and experience, which includes; acquired opinions, attitudes, and beliefs that come to us from outside influence; and is the root and the foundation of all negative emotions. We have experiences in life that we do not understand, yet, we accept without question. At a very young age, we automatically imitated beliefs which we learned from our parents, guardians, siblings and friends. Those beliefs became imprinted in us and are a part of our fixed memory. The attitudes about religion, race, sex, money, culture, etc., all reflect those beliefs. We believe that we have certain rights because of our race and the color of our skin. Another belief is that sins are automatically forgiven if you confess them. Or that a certain religion is superior toward another’s religion. We may believe that we are inferior or superior to others or that we are never good enough.

2. The second level of knowledge is Reason, which is an activity of our mind and expresses discernment and knowing the difference between when our thinking is confused and when our thinking is clear: ideas which stem from reason guides us to seek what is truly useful to us and others. Reason helps us follow the true good not from opinion, or emotions and hearsay, but from our understanding.

Reason leads us in the development of self. In the SELF, we have real inner power. We know when our perception of a thing is clear and in this clarity then it is possible to truly be a master of ourselves. To be a master of ourselves, means, we are able to direct our own life and live freely and when we learn through reason we can then overcome negative emotions. Reason is also a stepping-stone to the next level, which is intuition.

3. The third level of knowledge is intuition, we intuitively know our true purpose in life, we see and understand the laws that manifest from God’s nature, and we know intuitively the essence and the nature of things. We know and see the truth without comparison. When our intuition is operating, we understand the laws that govern our nature, the nature of other individuals and of all things. Intuition directs us to seek the highest good of all that is, and that is, the love of God. In this love is where our true salvation and fulfillment resides, where we find peace, blessedness, love, freedom and we know clearly that our life is eternal.