emotions are generated out of basic human needs

1     needs are universal (Maslow, Heron,
       Rosenberg)
2     scientists suggest there are at least 8
       primary   human emotions

universal

emotional and rational processing systems
1 there are powerful, fast, links between our emotional processing system in the brain and emotions
2 the emotional processing system in the brain produces reactions that involve the whole body
3 the links from our rational processing system in the brain are less powerful and much slower than 1
4 the rational processing system in the brain is involved  with thoughts and information
5 there are direct links and feedback loops between the  emotional centres in the brain and the body
6 the emotional memory - in the body - is individual shaped by experience
7 a balance and connection between the emotional and rational brain centres support to come into our full potential
                                                                                                                                                            (niek sickenga, autumn 2004)   

a supplement (2008) in English on a booklet about handling emotions in Dutch (2001) is as pdf file available; click here

bibliography
Abraham Maslow. (1970). Motivation and Personality. New York : Harper & Row.
John Heron. (Revised edition, 1998). Catharsis in Human Development.
                                                         (www.human-inquiry.com/Otherdocs.htm#ccp)
Marshall Rosenberg. (2004). The Language of Non-Violent Communication. (www.cnvc.org)
Daniel Goleman. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. Bantam Books, ISBN 0-553-84007
Joseph Le Doux. (1996). The Emotional Brain. Simon & Schuster.
Daniel Goleman. (ed.) (2003). Destructive Emotions. (Includes a chapter by Paul Ekman.) ISBN 0-7475-60420
Candace B. Pert. (1999). Molecules of Emotion. ISBN 0684-84634-9
Anne Dickson. (2000). Turning the Tides. Rider. ISBN 07126-0547-9

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