Meta-States

Meta-states are higher-level mental conditions that influence how we think and feel about our primary states. For example, feeling anxious (a primary state) might lead to a meta-state of worry or self-doubt. These layered states shape our perceptions and reactions, acting like mental "settings" that modify our experience. Understanding meta-states helps us recognize how our thoughts about our feelings influence our behavior, enabling more effective emotional regulation and decision-making. Essentially, meta-states are the mind’s way of reflecting on and adjusting our core emotional and cognitive states.