I don't see how recognizing an emotion as irrational gives you certainty of calming it. Generally speaking, emotions don't arise from a conveniently rational level of consciousness. If they did they would be referred to with terms ofther than "emotion".
> I don't see how recognizing an emotion as irrational gives you certainty of calming it
When you realize it's an irrational reaction you automatically reprocess the stimuli and get a rational reaction.
Let's say someone close to you is unusually quiet and short with you. You irrationally think they are mad at you or ignoring you because they are being short. That makes you feel mad because you didn't do anything to them! Upon receiving the feeling you start rationalizing the response and realize that you have no evidence that they are mad at you and there are many times you don't want to talk. You then simply ask them if anything's wrong and they say they have a headache! Whew, it wasn't about you at all, it was just a headache! You then empathize with them and want to help so you ask if you can get them some advil and know not to be loud or talk too much until they start feeling better (acting normally)
> Generally speaking, emotions don't arise from a conveniently rational level of consciousness.
What makes you say that? Emotions commonly arise from rational thought. There are rational reasons to be mad/happy/sad/etc.
But what I'm suggesting though is the opposite, to make it a habit upon receiving every powerful emotional to verify it with rational thought.
