The Beginners Guide to Emotions

Across many older traditions—Buddhist, Indigenous, Sufi, Stoic, and others—emotions aren’t seen as problems to fix but as meaningful visitors or teachers with something to offer.

Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this feeling?”, the question becomes, “What is this emotion here to show me?” Sadness might arrive to remind you of what you value. Anger can point to a boundary that’s been crossed. Anxiety may be signaling a need for safety, steadiness, or preparation. Even joy is a teacher—it shows what nourishes you.

These traditions often describe emotions as temporary guests. They come, they stay for a while, and eventually they leave. We don’t have to let them redecorate the house, but we also don’t need to slam the door in their face. Our role is to greet them with curiosity rather than resistance—listening without letting them take over.

When we treat emotions as messengers, we shift from self-judgment to self-relationship. Every feeling becomes a chance to understand our needs, our wounds, and our hopes a little more clearly. Instead of being evidence that something is wrong with us, emotions become guides that point us back to what matters.