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The Nature of Affect

The session introduces the concept of "affect" as a powerful, often external force that shapes our emotions and behaviours. Unlike simply bodily emotions, affect originates from various sources such as relationships, social groups, and even broader societal structures. It's 'a lively vibration', a dynamic energy that precedes our thoughts and actions, influencing how we perceive and respond to the world.

Kasia emphasizes the importance of bodily awareness in understanding affect. By tuning into physical sensations, we can gain insights into our emotional landscape. Practices like mindfulness and guided visualization are introduced as tools to connect with these internal signals.

Using a vivid fish tank analogy, Kasia illustrates how external circumstances profoundly shape our internal world. A deprived or hostile environment can foster feelings of inadequacy, fear, and mistrust, while a nurturing environment can cultivate a sense of security and well-being. This metaphor extends to family structures, social groups, and workplaces, highlighting the pervasive influence of external factors on our emotional states.

The session concludes with a practical exercise aimed at cultivating emotional balance. You are guided to identify a primary emotion, its physical manifestation, and then to find its opposite or a counterbalancing emotion like compassion. By holding both emotions simultaneously, individuals can develop greater emotional resilience and self-awareness.

Overall, the session provides a framework for understanding how external forces shape our internal world and offers practical tools to navigate and manage our emotional experiences.

• Affect is a powerful, external force influencing our emotions and behaviours.
• Bodily awareness is crucial for understanding affect.
• Our environment significantly shapes our emotional landscape.
• Balancing opposing emotions can foster emotional resilience.