The quote from Milan Kundera's "Immortality" suggests that emotions often emerge within us without our conscious control. These feelings can take us by surprise, reflecting our inner state without our active participation. This spontaneity highlights the instinctive nature of our emotional responses, illustrating how they can sometimes feel like a force outside our will.

However, the moment we choose to focus on and acknowledge these emotions, they transform. Instead of being pure, instinctive feelings, they evolve into something we can analyze and reflect upon. This shift signifies a move from mere emotion to a conscious engagement with our feelings, allowing us to understand and examine them more deeply.