S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 5 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 9 2 5 1 Introduction Emotions constitute an essential element of our everyday reality and play a significant role in both physical and cognitive life. Damasio (1994, 158) argues that one cannot consider the brain or mind activity separate from the bodily activity. What we have in mind here are not only the emotions of which we are conscious, but also the so-called “basal emotions” that accompany the constant experience with our own body. They are also the source of information for our mind to process and appraise. It may seem that the Self is a product of the mind alone and that the way we perceive ourselves originates in our mind. In fact, we use information sent from our whole body. Therefore, it is impossible to separate purely cognitive functioning from the functions of the body (Barret, Dunbar and Lycet 2007, 376–378). These findings must be applied to a spiritual life, too. In Christian spirituality, reflection on emotions can be found in “the spiritual discernment”, as one of its key concepts. We discern mainly when we immerse in our inner selves in a quest to understand ourselves, our hidden motivations, both positive and negative, and the callings to change our lives. Christian Western spirituality adopts a more analytic approach than the Eastern one. That is why we can encounter different stages of personal transformation and improvement of one’s spiritual life. Most commonly, we talk about the stage of purification, enlightenment and union. These stages represent both the level of perfection as well as the ability to work with our own emotions and inclinations, to which we become more resistant and make them a part of the ultimate goal of our spiritual lives. Emotions play a crucial role here, particularly in the stage of purification. Being able to reflect upon one’s own emotions is essential to the experience of spiritual discernment. In the process of discernment, we try to understand the emotional movements within our souls and the desires that bring us closer to more profound spiritual life. Ignatius noted that our motives are provoked not only by our own decisions, but About the author ThDr. Radovan Šoltés, PhD., serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Faculty of Greek Catholic Theology of University of Prešov. He has a long professional record in Christian social ethics and spirituality studies conducted at the crossroad of religion, philosophy and psychology. He authored numerous books and articles and is available at radovan.soltes@unipo.sk. RADoVAn ŠoLTÉS
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