The source of our emotions is our breath, whose impurity brings confusion and whose purity produces radiance. As the breath changes from one to the other element it produces in us an inclination towards a certain emotion. But according to the power of our will we control or give in to its unruly expression.
Every emotion has its color and its savor. One emotion develops into the other, since the proportion of activity of the mind, in its increase and decrease, produces emotions. No emotion is undesirable so long as it is under the power of the will, but when uncontrolled even the least effect of it is a sin. Fear has the influence of the earth element. Affection has the effect of the water element. Anger has the effect of the fire element. Humor has the effect of the air element and sadness has the effect of the ether element.
The nature of the elements is like colors. Light in the color makes it pale and darkness in the color makes it deep. So it is with the emotions: the light of intelligence makes them faded, and the lack of intelligence makes them deeply felt. With light, the influence of the earth element produces caution. The influence of water with light produces benevolence. The fire element with light produces ardor. The influence of the air with light produces joy and ether with light produces peace.
If you give in to an emotion, even only once and awhile, remember that the other emotions, to which you may never wish to give in, will also overpower you. Because it is one energy which assumes, by the influence of the different elements, the garb of different emotions. In fact, it is one emotion. By controlling ourselves we control all things in the world.
