predator mind question

[lamalamalamalama]

There are many examples of the predator mind doing its work from negative emotional states (self importance, greed, self righteousness etc etc.)

I was just wondering if anyone through self-observation might have noticed it also working from an imagined 'positive' emotional state. (maybe an example is thinking one is 'In Love' or an act of self-sacrafice which is fueled by pride.)

Sorry if this doesn't really make sense, but I'm just wondering if such a thing is possible and should be watched out for.

 

[Approaching Infinity]

There are many examples of the predator mind doing its work from negative emotional states (self importance, greed, self righteousness etc etc.)

I was just wondering if anyone through self-observation might have noticed it also working from an imagined 'positive' emotional state. (maybe an example is thinking one is 'In Love' or an act of self-sacrafice which is fueled by pride.)

Sorry if this doesn't really make sense, but I'm just wondering if such a thing is possible and should be watched out for.

I'd say yes. The Predator can convince you that things are just gravy (i.e. fine and dandy). The problem comes down to what Gurdjieff said about good and evil. Good is what serves your aim, evil is what doesn't. Sometimes positive emotions serve your aim, sometimes they don't. Same with 'negative emotions'. They all serve a purpose, but it depends on what they're attracted to. For example, if I have a curiosity that attracts me to things that are "hidden" and "mysterious", but the only objects in the world are illusions, I might be attracted to those illusions. But the truth gets lost in the midst of things. That's where skepticism is important. So that we can discern the A from the B influences. Not easy, but a network helps immensely!

 

[Buddy]

I was just wondering if anyone through self-observation might have noticed it also working from an imagined 'positive' emotional state. (maybe an example is thinking one is 'In Love' or an act of self-sacrafice which is fueled by pride.)

Based on my self-observation experience I would yes, especially since you were careful to spell out that tricky idea of an "imagined 'positive' emotional state". And self-observation is key to recognizing the deception, I think.

Using your examples, "thinking one is 'In Love'" could really be an eventually self-destructive pursuit of "feel good" brain chemistry.

"Self-sacrifice which is fueled by pride" could actually be a path of self-destruction as a way of proving one's loyalty to family, religious, or other social conditioning.

So, I would say yes to that "imagined 'positive' emotional state" and it tickles me pink that you said it that way, because that's the way I see it too and it sounds a lot like what I occasionally call "hidden opposites"! :D

 

[Helle]

I was just wondering if anyone through self-observation might have noticed it also working from an imagined 'positive' emotional state. (maybe an example is thinking one is 'In Love' or an act of self-sacrafice which is fueled by pride.)

I sometimes find myself in an imagined positive state, eating cake with the family. It's OH so cosy and the kids LOVE me for serving it, I imagine, in my imagined 'positive' emotional state.
My predator can make me do the dumbest things regarding food, and it always has a 'good' explanation.

I'm learning to trick it though, by saying YA I'll have cake, just not today..