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Basically, we are in reasonable mind when logic drives our thinking as when we're working through logical problems, investigating science, using mathematics. There is a real value to Reasonable Mind. We're in emotion mind when our emotions drive our thinking, like when we're thinking about place's we would like to visit, falling in love, or using our creative talents to create a work of art.
Using either Emotion Mind or Reasonable Mind exclusively can get us into trouble. Many people will view a Reasonable Minded person as being dry or cold. Emotion mind, on the other hand, can lead us to some pretty self-destructive behaviors. A compulsive gambler, for example, is in Emotion mind; allowing their emotions to drive them when they gamble.
The obvious question then is, how do we learn how to get to, and remain in Wise Mind? As I'm learning, we first have to learn to see the world as it is... just the bare experience. Drop the judgments we tend to make (whether they're reasonable or emotional). For me, someone who's been around for many years, this isn't as easy as it seems.
I tend to instantaneously place judgments on everything I see, and experience. I see someone with nice jewelry on, and my first thought is, "she's rich." Someone stares at me and I instantly think, "what's his problem." When I do step back, I realize that the jewelry might be fake, stolen, given as a gift, a family heirloom. The man staring at me, might be staring behind me, off into space, or he may think he recognizes me. His stare may have nothing to do with me at all. My goal, then, is to retrain myself to simply see a woman wearing jewelry, or a man staring, and avoid those instant thoughts. Then I can, evaluate the situation for what it is.
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