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Introduction

Choosing Emotions to Feel

[Citta Bhavana] meditations use memories and imagination to create a particular state of mind, such as gratitude and joy. Many people find it hard to believe that choosing to feel an emotion can have the same effect on your mind and body as it does when the emotion spontaneously happens. But emotions you choose to feel are just as real as the emotions triggered by external events. The changes in your brain and body are the same, and the effect on your mood can be equally powerful. – Kelly McGonigal PhD, Yoga for Pain Relief 2009 p 129  link

• McGonigal defines citta bhavana as “moving the mind.” Other sources define it as “mind development.”
• McGonigal explains, “You can create your own meditations for any state of mind that you would like to cultivate. Simply follow the two principles of citta bhavana: 1) bring to mind specific words or thoughts that reflect this state of mind, the memory of a time you authentically felt this way, or someone/something that naturally inspires this state of mind in you, and 2) focus on the feeling-state that goes along with these thoughts, memories and visualizations.”