Human beings are emotional beings. Even plants and animals have emotions. They also feel pain and pleasure. This fact has been established beyond doubt by numerous experiments and more are still continuing. However, what makes human beings unique and different from other beings is their ability to feel and realise that they are undergoing a particular emotion. This is an ability that is unique only to human beings. Plants and animals simply go through emotions without realising the emotion. They just be in that emotion. However, we as humans are capable to realise and recognise the emotions… “I am happy, I am sad, I am angry, I am ecstatic, etc.,”
We can not only feel the emotion but also possess the ability to understand the reason behind emotions. We also possess the potential to watch our emotions dispassionately and respond to situations accordingly. This potential ability is not equally expressed in all humans. Based on their ability to understand and respond under different emotional situations, one’s EQ is determined. In other words we may define Emotional Quotient (EQ) as the ability of a person to see through his emotions, understand and respond to the situation appropriately. Higher the EQ, better one is in a position to handle situations.
EQ has gained importance in the past few decades and is being given more weight-age than IQ when establishing a relationship – personal or professional.
There is a myth that one should not come under the control of emotions, but have emotions under his control. This leads to a tendency to suppress emotions. Psychologists suggest that suppressing and controlling emotions will have adverse effects on the psychological and physical well-being of an individual. We will have to see through our emotions.
An explanation from Gita on this subject by Yoga Guru Sn. Shiv Rishi ji is worth mentioning here…
E.Q ! Do you have it? How to develop emotional quotient?
सुखदू:खे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौI
ततो युध्दाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमावाप्स्यसीII
Considering pleasure-pain; gain-loss; victory-failure from an equanimous attitude, you have to do your duties with a balanced mind!
If you wish to be efficient in this world, then you have to function from equanimity. Balance of mind is an essential virtue, otherwise your power of discrimination is lost. The experiences of life can provide a great learning, if they are approached with a calm mind.
Even a very intelligent person can get very easily disturbed emotionally. This is why E.Q is of utmost importance than I.Q!
In Srimad Bhagavadgita E.Q is given the name ‘SAMATVAM’ (समत्वं)
No one can be always successful & it would be foolish to expect so. Real success in life is nothing but the capacity to face success and failure equally. If one is able to develop this attitude of SAMATVAM – E.Q, they will never have spiritual downfall.
The calm state of mind will allow me to see “EVERY ADVERSITY EXPOSES MY LIMITATION” and will enable one to convert every experience in life into a learning & thereby grow!
This kind of approach will make life an enriched learning experience – where we continually reach our limitations, learn, grow and extend the boundary of our limitations. Then our actions and decisions in life are in our control. The sail of our ship is in our control and determines the direction it will sail. We have the key to our life.
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