Hi Paul,

I believe the author has some background in Buddhist studies and the quotation is in reference to that background. We feel emotions all the time. There are in fact so many emotions we feel that some of them don't even have a name. Buddhist concentrate on Five intense emotions that all of us have. Desire, Anger, Delusion/Ignorance, Pride and Jealousy. Buddhist focus on them more because these emotions if not "observed" can bring about our own downfall. Because of the outcome of these emotions, they are somewhat painted like the villian/devil. Now because of this type of outlook towards these emotions, when ever we feel it, we try to make it go away. Now this is where Buddhism points our attention to the truth. You are not "your" Emotion. The Emotions are not you. It just merely appears. If we do not possess and understand this knowledge, Chances are our lives are governed by our emotions and not the other way around. That to many people might not make any difference, but to a Buddhist- It makes a lot of difference. It is a difference between a prisoner and a Free man.

With Love and Respect,

Tandin