Sentiments play a large part in human life. In the subtle anatomy of yoga, there are intricate maps of these various sentiments or vrittis , located in clusters around the various cakras, or subtle energy centers. These vrittis, which in essence are part of the mind, and thus also the brain, effect the subsidiary glands, which are substations between the brain, the nerves and the body. When driven by sentiments such as anger, jealousy, hatred, etc., we create suffering, both for ourselves and others. Many modern health and integral psycho-therapies are, in effect, attempting to accomplish the same thing.
Rationality is one of humanity s greatest assets.
It is our best tool in navigating past irrational dogmas and behaviors. However, rationality has its own limitations and pitfalls, which may bring about devastating changes in both the human and biological worlds. Moreover, human rationality can often be rendered ineffective by lower propensities or pre-rational sentiments. As social beings, humans have over thousands of years of history developed various group sentiments. As with individual sentiments, many of these may be adverse to spiritual growth.