Emotional Creativity: Applied Concerns

The experience and expression of emotions is central to defining authentic self. The chapter explores emotions from the perspective of Western and Eastern approaches. The Indian perspective on emotions looks at emotions as something integral to self-transformation and growth. Emotions can become a liability if viewed as outcomes of certain situations. Emotional outbursts pertaining to anger, sadness, jealousy, hatred, etc., certainly need to be contained, which is possible through transforming our emotional-self. Averill’s concept of emotional creativity is of specific interest as it views emotions not as an end but as a means toward growth and has the power of unravelling the spiritual potential of emotions. Authenticity is essential for creativity. Averill’s four components of emotional creativity – novelty, effectiveness, authenticity, and preparedness – have deeper implications for a meaningful and spiritually inspired life. Emotional creativity can be regarded as a tool for self-transformation. The chapter takes the life of Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi as an exemplar of emotional creativity. Narratives from his life have been used to build the case of an emotionally creative Gandhi, who transformed not only himself but also the society at large through his novel means of Satyagraha – insistence on truth, self-purification, non-violence, and love.