Motorist of Emotion

How much control can an individual take over their emotions? 

What are the mechanics involved in being a motorist of the mind?

There seems to be a wider variety of connections to emotion through consciousness, as I wrote in a post from a few months ago; Conscious emotional connection, even if the connection is often not as strong when there is more comprehension involved. But within that wider scope of potential scenarios for emotion, what is the function of neurons to potentially control the lasting neurochemical reaction?

Considering “emotion” to be basically the state of mind resulting from neurochemical triggers, the method to control would be to access certain memories (including factors and information, as well as experiences), based on relevant connection and the preferable outcome. This is a very similar concept to a post I wrote about a month prior to the last I mentioned, called; Conscious Coercion, where i proposed that conscious control of the mind and motivation is limited to instinctual drives which the individual was born with, but to a wide scope expanded through cognitive comprehension. The flexibility of the mind is expanded through conscious comprehension of factors’ interaction as well as cause and effect, whether it's for decisions in life, motivation, or directing emotion. 

Perhaps the 1st step for emotion directional control, is comprehending this concept in itself. Once someone is aware of the capabilities and limits of their mind, they can take that concept and remember to apply it. Without realizing or really considering this concept, in most scenarios someone is likely to take little control over emotions, thereby allowing emotions to control them. Once this concept and idea is in memory, the person can think back to it at a time where more emotional control is preferable and rational. Just as virtually any concept in life, it takes practice through repetition which conditions the subconscious to apply the concept more effectively via cognitive ease of repeated neural pathways. 

Applicational function would be something like; remembering this concept of mindful control in a situation where the individual is being influenced by their emotions, then cognitively directing memories toward a preferable emotional state. This redirection should be toward another instinctual drive, using the motor behind conscious comprehension; rationality. Rationally think of the causes of current emotion and whether the influence is effective. Consider a more preferable outcome, and comprehend the influential cause which can result in that outcome.

For example, if I am angry or sad and feeling spiteful toward someone who has caused me or others harm, yet they are no longer affecting the situation, I can rationally determine those emotions ineffective at the time, and consider a preferable outcome of progressing my life, assisting others, or being grateful. Then comprehend the potential causes to result in 1 of those preferable outcomes. Picking a positive instinctual drive, similar to those examples, makes the redirection of emotional influence much easier, since that is what the mind uses. Next step is focusing on the preferable outcome and comprehending practical steps involved.

Redirectional control of emotion doesn't have to only be in scenarios with strong emotions that are less preferable. With the benefit of adaptability allowed by conscious comprehension and control, comes flexibility to apply this in many circumstances throughout anyone's life or even day. Even in a situation of lack of emotion, and perhaps boredom and dullness, someone can apply this to redirect emotion toward thinking of something positive and being grateful, or better yet, combining that with motivation to pursue positive ambitions.

With rationality being the motor of the mind, instinct being the fuel, and emotion being the steering wheel, using conscious comprehension can be the Motorist of Emotion.