Average Reading Time: 6 minutes and 47 seconds
If you haven’t yet seen Pixar’s new flick, “Inside Out,” it’s well worth your time. This movie chronicles the culture shock an 11-year-old girl, Riley, experiences while she moves to San Francisco. What’s so brilliant in this film is how it makes the infinitely complicated machinations of the mind and emotions into a simple and relatable animated experience. They reduce it down to 5 main emotions: Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear and Disgust. These 5 emotions become 5 animated characters that all co-control Riley’s emotional experience from “head”-quarters.
There’s a lot of depth to this film, and I want to highlight some of the ways “Inside Out” dives into Ayurvedic psychology and reveals some core truths.
#1 – Joy Is Our Natural State of Being
In the film, the main controller in headquarters is Joy. She is the emotion that Riley associates with and reaches out to the most. This is perfect because Riley is still a child, and the Ayurvedic perspective is that we all come from a place of Joy as a child. We spend the first two years of our lives communicating heart-to-heart with our parents and loved ones. No words are said, but the communication is direct. As infants, we live in a heart-centered world, where we are safe, full, complete, and content. The heart is the home of the “bliss sheath” (anandamaya), which lies closest to our core self. (1)
Then, one day in preschool, we get our feelings hurt. Someone takes our seat or makes fun of us on the playground, and we are crushed. We quickly realize that this is not a safe world and that we have to protect our feelings. So we begin to employ our minds, the manomaya kosha, to protect ourselves.
#2 – The Mind Takes Over When Joy Gets Hurt
Whenever something bad happens to Riley and Joy doesn’t know how to react, the other emotions take over like Anger or Disgust. In Ayurveda, this is equivalent to the mind sheath trying to protect our bliss sheath, our Joy.
From an innocent and natural desire to create protection, the mind and its emotions cut us off from who we really are. In the film, you’ll notice that few of the adults have Joy in the main seat anymore; they’re controlled by Anger or Sadness or Fear most of the time. Simply put, moodiness and sadness occur when a person loses access to the joyful self we started with as infants. This is also why the body begins to break down.
#3 – Personality Islands Change
The mind at this young age is forced to develop a first draft of a personality. A projection on a screen, an illusion designed to make one feel accepted, protected, loved and secure. In Riley’s case, these are her “core memories” that correlate to her personality “islands.” This is the personality that worked for her in Minnesota and kept her safe; but when she moved to such a vastly different place such as San Francisco, those personality “islands” didn’t work for her anymore and she had to rebuild a new personality to meet the emotional demands this new situation created for her.
While this process is essential early on in life, protective layers of the personality continue to build until by age ten, twenty and thirty, the projection on the screen becomes a personality that is vastly different and separate from the true Self. Now it’s time to ask, who is this person that you’ve created? Is this personality really serving me anymore, or is it time that I can get back in touch with my joyful and loving true self.
#4 – Bad Things Happen When We Lose Track of Our Joy
Once the mind has taken over, it strives to distract us so that we will never notice we have lost access to our true joyful selves. It diverts attention with powerful emotions like anger, shame, and jealously. And when all else fails, it calls on fear to seal shut the doors to our innermost being.
Unfortunately, the mind can do too good a job of protecting us, and over time, it creates a seemingly impenetrable barrier, doing everything it can to keep all invaders and stressors out of our delicate heart space, including the mind itself. Thus begins the ultimate mind-body disconnect. (1, 2) We see this when Joy gets lost in long-term memory and the other emotions are trying to keep up headquarters without her. Eventually, the control panel starts freezing over and becomes unresponsive – which correlates on the outside to Riley shutting down from her emotions, almost trance-like, and running away from home.In addition to affecting us psychoemotionally, the patterns of the mind impact us spiritually as well as physically. Just outside the mind sheath is the energy sheath (pranamaya kosha) where prana, or life force moves, connecting the mind and body. If the mind and its emotions take control, the flow of prana – which is needed to free the mind – can be blocked. When prana does not flow freely, protective and negative emotions can take control for a lifetime.
The energy sheath also connects the mind sheath to the body sheath (annamaya kosha), linking emotions and stress to our health. In order for the body to function properly, prana must be flowing freely. Ayurvedically speaking, this free flow of prana allows the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) to balance, the seven dhatus (tissues) to develop, and the gross channels (srotas) of circulation, like blood and lymph, to move. It is here at the physical level that we see how these very subtle mental and emotional imbalances can affect the health of the entire body. (3)
#5 – Overcoming Fear
The only roadblocks that potentially derail positive action steps in the healing process are our fears. Our fears are the last stronghold of illusion employed by the mind. Once you confront a fear, being willing to do the things you are most afraid of doing, you can move through its illusory barriers. (1)
You might say, “Wait, Riley didn’t go through scary trials in the outside world.” But guess who did? Joy. She was the one who had to wake up the scary sleeping clown in Riley’s subconscious, she was the one who almost died in the abstract thought machine, and she was the one who dealt with the devastating blow of Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong being forgotten in the Abyss. In a way, it’s very apt that Joy experiences these trials rather than Riley, because many of the fears we need to go through are mental blocks rather than physical hardships.
We can each take on our fears. One at a time, with baby steps, tackling the small ones first, we can chip away until we find ourselves fearless and free. And then, through the fear, we gain access to our joyful self that has been waiting patiently deep in the heart.
The key, however, is action – or according to Ayurveda, your karma. Karma simply means ‘action.’ There is an old Vedic saying that goes, “To the extent that something affects you is to the extent it is your karma.” What this means is that if something, someone, or some fear is affecting you, then the move, the action, the karma is yours. Negative feelings are nothing more than an opportunity to take action; to replace the negative with a positive, loving response. Remember, we are by nature loving – so replacing negative emotions with positive actions is the path to freedom which, in time, translates to optimal health. (1, 2)
Joy took action throughout the movie to help keep Riley out of harm’s way; and while Riley and Joy had to experience some hardship along the way, it was when Joy moved through fear and Riley went through her pain that gave Riley access to her Joy once again.
#6 – Reclaiming the Director’s Chair
When your mind has the reins, you will be more concerned with what people think of your personal movie than the story your soul is trying to tell. When the mind passes the reins of control back to the heart, you become the director of your own movie and you can change the script. When your heart has the reins, the movie becomes about joy, freedom, love and the true expression of your soul’s message, your purpose.
Joy never stopped trying to get back to headquarters, and you should never stop trying to get back that joyful and loving nature again – but, of course, for Joy to do this, she had to go through fear. From an Ayurvedic perspective, we are at our core healthy, whole, happy, joyful and loving by nature, and the fears we have simply present opportunities to reconnect with our joy, our true nature.
It is important, then, to engage in habits and practices that support the emergence of this essential nature that bring balance to mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic medicine may prescribe yoga, breathing, meditation and other lifestyle techniques, in addition to using herbal remedies to maintain and restore balance.
A lifestyle in harmony with nature and the natural cycles of life allows the body to de-stress and heal, inspires optimal health, and creates an environment in which the mind can become still. In this stillness comes a natural state of self-awareness from which we can change the constructs of the mind. As you begin to live in harmony with your environment, you will naturally become more self-aware, and the obstacles, fears, and imbalances keeping you a prisoner of the mind become the focus of your attention. Once positive actions are taken as a result of this awareness, both the mind and its emotions, along with the body, can heal. (2)
Are you ready to let your inside out?
Jan says
Sadness was a key teacher in this movie as well.
You article is a terrific reminder that joy is our natural state. Another powerful message I got from the movie was the important role sadness played. Joy kept trying to keep sadness from touching anything. As if sadness would somehow ruin those experiences. Joy witnessed a few instances that taught her that this is not the case. One was when sadness came over to console Bing Bong. She allowed him to just feel sad for a while, then he felt much better. This showed joy (er, the audience) that it is not only okay, but it is essential to allow ourselves the full range of emotions in order to be happy, healthy, joyful human beings. We can sometimes get stuck thinking that we must feel joyful all the time. She reminded us that not only is it okay, but healthy to feel sad (and other perceived negative emotions) some times.
Vanessa says
Love the article!! And I will definitely be going to watch the movie. I am on my late 40s. So critical time when you say to yourself: ‘Enough is enough!’. Enough to carry so much baggage that no longer serve. I suppose it relates to the personality created by Riley and that no longer fits in the new environment. I suppose that after a difficult begging in life, and years of building walls of protection around me, I am giving birth to my authentic Me! The one that steams from the heart. It is not easy, and sometimes, very painful, but I find it very interesting and I wonder at the complexity of the human nature! As one of the previous comments, writing has being a wonderful tool for me. I believe I am a Vata, so tend to worry, fear, stress out! I try meditation but it is a bit hard, as my mind keeps talking!!! When I grab my journal and pen, I can become an observer and it is easy to see my own projections and take them out. I take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful website!! I have been using your breathing techniques and this week started to incorporate nasal breathing when I exercise. Thank you Doctor for sharing your light and passion with all of us. Lots of blessings!!
John Douillard says
Thank you for your comment, Vanessa. I am so glad that you are enjoying the website and finding the practices helpful on your journey.
Amanda says
Wow! amazing article. Can it be reprinted on another site with link to author? Thank you Dr. Douillard!
John Douillard says
Hi Amanda,
Yes, please see our citations policy for the specific protocol for content reproduction: https://lifespa.com/citation/
Thanks so much for you interest in the article!
cedric says
wow is what i want to say initially. Dr. John you are right on the money. it really comes down to the fear based systems in our world that keep us on lockdown. False Evidence Appearing Real. i loved this whole breakdown of this movie and i am now taking steps to regain that Joy i used to have for life and get into healiing…..thanks so much for sharing and for your website. so full of wisdom..
John Douillard says
I am glad that it resonated with you, Cedric. Thanks for your feedback!
Wendue says
I just saw the movie last night. As a psych major, I loved it. I really appreciate the ayurvedic interpretation. Thank you for your wisdom.
Tina says
You totally sold me on the movie..
Grace says
Hmmmm, I thought that love and kindness and sharing with others were in the main seat? That by practicing these things one can find the joy. To exalt joy on its own without the others seems like baking bread without yeast, it simply will not rise. Greed and self-centeredness are at the core of our problems in the US, as well as a lack of community and a disregard for nature. I find that by extending my efforts away from greed and self-centeredness and moving towards community, nature, love, kindness, and sharing, that I find joy. To seek joy on it’s own? That seems impossible and disconnected from it’s true source. Perhaps this is what you are saying in this article, it just didn’t seem so clear cut.
John Douillard says
Good point, Grace. I believe actions of kindness, sharing and love are what Dr. John is referring to in #5 where he talks about the necessity of action to attain joy. “Negative feelings are nothing more than an opportunity to take action; to replace the negative with a positive, loving response. Remember, we are by nature loving – so replacing negative emotions with positive actions is the path to freedom which, in time, translates to optimal health.”
Through positive, loving action one becomes joyful and truly joyful people act in more loving ways. So it is a beautiful cycle.
Kat says
If you haven’t seen the movie yet Grace, check it out. You will see how empathy and working together is key. : )
Suchitra Krishna says
Beautifully written from the Ayurvedic perspective I teach pranayam and meditation and know firsthand how effective these are to gain control over the mind and deal with emotions
Jai Gurudev
David Fields says
Lovely, insightful, heart filled article. I will definitely go see this film now. Jai Guru Dev!!
Angela Jamal says
Thank you Dr. for your insight on this movie and your knowledge of ayurveda. I studied with Dr. Lad in his yearly small gathering in the 80’s to Boston and I teach and work with teens about living from the ‘inside out’ using these principles. Science and Hollywood are embracing what has been here for thousands of years!
Dawn says
Thank you Dr Douillard. As a psychotherapist I appreciated the movie’s presentation of the complex relationship between emotions and the mind and have recommended the movie to clients and friends. Your article articulated the messages of the movie even more clearly and also explained it all from an Ayurvedic perspective which I greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Thank you!
Steven Winn says
Well written indeed!
I was an army brat. We moved 9 times by the time I was 13. I developed a different personality every time we moved. Sometimes the shifts were dramatic – a bully while stationed in Germany, a model student when posted to Texas. So I totally experienced this process of Joy creating a personality to deal with the environment.
And of course I had the gift of seeing the transient nature of our personalities at a young age.
Now after 40+ years of a wonderful transcending type meditation, I am strongly drawn to the expansion of my heart – again paralleling Dr. Doulliard’s description of personal growth.
A great article – thank you.
Hema says
Namaste John
Wow what an integrated mind n heart for shedding light on our emotions n karma in a simplistic way. I sure will watch the movie.
Love you much n truly appreciate sharing your WISDOM so freely.
Sophie says
What an excellent article Dr. Douillard!
Lots of food for thought!
Thank you so much for writing this! 🙂
Noa Kadman says
What a great article, so wise and so true. As a Nia teacher (dance) our first principle is “The Joy of Movement”. Although I have been dancing and teaching for several years, there is almost more to learn and experience with Joy. I am so glad that I moved beyond my fear to live in Joy at the age of 45. Can I translate this article to Hebrew for my readers? With credit of course…
John Douillard says
Hi Noa,
Yes, you are welcome to translate the article for your readers. Our citation policy can be found here: https://lifespa.com/citation/
Thanks so much!
Ginny Engelhardt says
I just saw the movie this week, so reading the Ayurvedic reasoning behind it while the movie is fresh in my mind is such a blessing. Thank you. What careful observations and parellels have been drawn within this article. Now I feel like rewatching the movie and rereading this article and journaling my own intimate observations as an adjunct to more awareness and healing.
John Douillard says
Ginny,
I love the idea of writing your observations in your journal. That would be a very powerful exercise.
Thanks for commenting!