Anger
Accept the Damage
June 05, 2008 10:44 PM
When we are
faced with natural disasters and other trajedy, we
generally accept the damage as nature’s way or God’s
will. When we are faced with damage to our emotions
caused by another person, we don’t accept it.
We allow the seeds of anger to rise from our subconscious. We should learn to practice mindfulness when we feel angry and surround the seed of anger with thought, reflection, and patience. We should learn to see that the seed of anger is in us. This seed is not placed in us by another person.
We should learn to accept the damage caused by another person the way we accept a natural disaster. We cannot control other people no more than we can control a natural disaster. We can, however, control the way we react to it.
We allow the seeds of anger to rise from our subconscious. We should learn to practice mindfulness when we feel angry and surround the seed of anger with thought, reflection, and patience. We should learn to see that the seed of anger is in us. This seed is not placed in us by another person.
We should learn to accept the damage caused by another person the way we accept a natural disaster. We cannot control other people no more than we can control a natural disaster. We can, however, control the way we react to it.
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Coal
June 05, 2008 12:22 AM
If at first you don't succeed...
December 15, 2007 02:34 AM
Today I
was faced with an undesirable situation. Think of a
situation where a fly keeps buzzing by your ear or
the neighbor's dog barks all night long. This was
such a situation, albeit much more personal and
severe.
When such a situation arises, I think one should approach it reasonably. I should have first understood that it was my perception or interpretation of the situation that was causing my grief. With a different attitude or perspective, it is possible to see the situation from a different perspective. Second, I should have tried to determine if there was something I could do about the situation - such as leave. In my case, there seemed to be no way to avoid the situation. Finally, if unable to avoid the situation, I should have let go.
I should have changed my perspective to allow me to accept the situation and not let it affect my emotional well-being. This situation was an incredible opportunity to practice mindfulness and really see the situation in a different light. Acceptance rather than anger was the correct course of action.
I chose anger.
I hope to react differently next time.
When such a situation arises, I think one should approach it reasonably. I should have first understood that it was my perception or interpretation of the situation that was causing my grief. With a different attitude or perspective, it is possible to see the situation from a different perspective. Second, I should have tried to determine if there was something I could do about the situation - such as leave. In my case, there seemed to be no way to avoid the situation. Finally, if unable to avoid the situation, I should have let go.
I should have changed my perspective to allow me to accept the situation and not let it affect my emotional well-being. This situation was an incredible opportunity to practice mindfulness and really see the situation in a different light. Acceptance rather than anger was the correct course of action.
I chose anger.
I hope to react differently next time.
Do Not Respond To Anger
October 24, 2006 01:24 AM
I man
once cursed the Buddha to his face. The Buddha only
smiled. The man became even more incensed and asked,
"Why don't you respond?" The Buddha replied, "If
someone refuses a gift, it must be taken back by the
one who offered it." The Buddha then recited this
verse:
"For those with no anger,
how can anger arise?
When you practice deep looking and master yourself,
you dwell in peace, freedom, and safety.
The one who offends another after being offended by him,
harms himself and harms the other.
When you feel hurt, but do not hurt the other,
you are truly victorious.
Your practice and your victory benefit both of you.
When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other,
your mind will enjoy true peace, joy, and lightness.
You become the doctor who heals himself and heals the other.
If you don't understand,
you will think not getting angry to be the act of a fool."
Source: Teachings on Love, by Thich Nhat Hahn from The Sutra of 42 Chapters, Taisho 784
"For those with no anger,
how can anger arise?
When you practice deep looking and master yourself,
you dwell in peace, freedom, and safety.
The one who offends another after being offended by him,
harms himself and harms the other.
When you feel hurt, but do not hurt the other,
you are truly victorious.
Your practice and your victory benefit both of you.
When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other,
your mind will enjoy true peace, joy, and lightness.
You become the doctor who heals himself and heals the other.
If you don't understand,
you will think not getting angry to be the act of a fool."
Source: Teachings on Love, by Thich Nhat Hahn from The Sutra of 42 Chapters, Taisho 784