Question: “What does Buddhism say we should do about our most negative emotions during times of stress? It’s not as if people can turn their feelings on and off, and it’s hard to get bogged down by disappointment, fear, etc. If Buddhism says emotions are transient and illusory, should we just try to move forward as soon as possible from these negative emotional states?”
Yes! You said a couple of magical words, “transient” and “move forward.” Buddhism doesn’t teach us to ignore our emotions and feelings, but the exact opposite. To embrace them, to acknowledge them, accept them and then move on. Because what happens if we don’t “move forward”? We cling to and dwell on them, and how’s that going to help us?
Instead, accept that the emotion is there, accept whatever caused it, accept that there’s no changing the past, and accept that we can only move on with acceptance. It’s not always easy, but practice makes perfect! And soon we’ll see and realize that we get emotional (positive or negative) over random, mundane things that shouldn’t have as big of an affect on us in the first place.
Smile and be well!