“In The Way of the Bodhisattva one of the most influential texts in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, the 8th-century Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva says:
When the urge arises in the mind
to feelings of desire or wrathful hate,
do not act! Be silent, do not speak!
And like a log you should remain.
When the mind is wild with mockery
and filled with pride and haughty arrogance,
and when you want to show the hidden faults of others,
to bring up old dissensions or to act deceitfully…
It is then that like a log you should remain.
This practice tells us to take a pause before reacting, which gives us the space to breathe in and out and start dissolving the tension. Through this action, our thoughts may calm down, and we may be able to see things more clearly.
This takes practice, and as such we must engage in it consistently. We can start with little triggers, like losing our keys, misplacing our wallets, experiencing laptop issues, or running late to a meeting. This way, we train our brains to respond mindfully and wisely when provoked by greater threats.
Taking responsibility for what we are experiencing rather than avoiding or repressing anger is empowering. Feeling the feeling is where the healing begins. Only then, we will be able to have clarity of mind to take a wise step forward.”
lionsroar.com, MONICA JORDAN
