Mystified

Mystical [mis-ti-kuh l] adjective

1. mystic; of or relating to supernatural agencies, affairs, occurrences, etc.:
2. a strange, mystical experience.
3. of or relating to mystics or mysticism: mystical writings.
4. spiritually symbolic: a mystical vision of the hereafter.

Mystify [mis-tuh-fahy] verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

1. to involve in mystery or obscurity.

Throughout this process I have learned that there are over 3400 emotions. What this project has been focusing on and will continue to focus on are the main emotions which when combined with one another create a deeper myriad of emotional responses.

Emotions are the strong winds and currents that move us through our lives. The better we can grow in understanding and maybe even predicting their movements, the better we can understand their impact on ourselves.

Because emotions are complex, there are a few rules they seem to follow. Through this process I have also learned that there is often a checklist to evaluate

1. Emotions will often originate from a part of your mind that is not under your control. At first you are often unable to control your emotions.
2. Emotions are free of judgement. They hold no bearing on being “right” or “wrong,” they occur in all of us and they belong to all of us. Actions on emotions may carry moral consequences, but the emotions themselves are free of this constraint. Feelings are not subject to any moral code. They’re neither good nor bad, right or wrong. They just are what they are.
3. Though feelings aren’t by choice, their consequences are still our own responsibility.
4. Emotions can be avoided; however, this does not change/eliminate them. They may be avoided at points, but they cannot be avoided indefinitely.
5. Disregarding an emotion will often embolden it. Trying to avoid it will often result in strengthening it.
6. All emotions have a process to deal with and understand them, this is the only effective way to make them go away.
7. Your emotions are driven by your thoughts, and by proxy your thoughts are driven by your emotions. Positive thoughts will often lead to positive emotions and vice versa.
8. Your emotions are valuable insights to your deeper mind. Sitting with them, and processing how they make your respond will help in becoming more aligned with what you’re hoping to build.

With all this in mind I want to pose a lessor known, yet highly significant emotion. That of “Mystified.” Mystified is separate from “awe-inspired,” or “fascinated,” in that in pertains to the deeper complexities associated with the mysterious and obscure. Additionally, there is a strong association with spiritual connotations, and the impact that one’s personal spiritual/theological philosophies have on their emotional interpretations.

These songs, the subsequent writings, and the created works inspired by this concept have all touched my spirit in reverberating ways, and ways I can hardly explain. The best is through the description of mystified itself.