One of the many great things about finding inner peace is that it has a profound effect on how often and how strongly you feel anger. It definitely should find a place in everyone’s anger management toolbox.
The mechanics of the relationship between anger and inner peace is worth understanding.
Inner peace is the state of being that exists beyond your mind. It’s the basic you that’s aware of all your thoughts and emotions. It’s been there ever since you were first conscious, which was at some point in your mother’s womb. It’s what has been aware of everything that’s happened to you since that moment. It has never changed… what’s changed has been your thoughts and your external environment… these have been in unceasing flux.
Because the basic you is aware of all thoughts and other sense impressions, it is separate from them. It’s like you’re on a sidewalk watching busy traffic. Does it matter to you what color the cars are? Do you get injured if they bump against one another? No. You are unaffected by what happens on the road.
In exactly the same way, the basic you is unaffected by thoughts, emotions and sense impressions. Unaffected by worries, anxieties, stress and thoughts as a whole. Unaffected by your senses of smell, touch, sight or hearing.
Notice how thoughts, sight and hearing were included in the list of inputs. The basic you is unaffected by what you think, see and hear.
So supposing you have found inner peace. Then someone talks to you angrily or insultingly. You’re seeing him, you’re hearing him and you’re thinking about what he’s saying. In other words, you’re getting sights, sounds and thoughts related to him.
But they don’t affect you. Especially the thoughts. Thoughts like, “How dare he talk to me like that and get away with it…” (these are the thoughts that usually make people explode in return). But now you just watch those thoughts come and go in front of you. You are their calm, peaceful witness.
Wait for your mind to come up with a rational solution to the situation. One like, “Maybe I should tell that angry guy that we had better talk later when we can discuss things peaceably…” or “I’ll just smile and tell him I’ll call him after about an hour…” It’s easy to come up with good solutions when you are peaceful.
So, did you manage your anger? No you did not… because there wasn’t any in the first place!
To your cheerfulness and compassion,
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanx , this really helps!!!
Heidi
i’m always trying so hard to not respond with anger , but never knew how simple it could be
Try and be a peaceful witness to your mind at all times, Heidi… your life will improve almost miraculously like mine did…
Thanks for the reminder Lucky that our “basic self” doesn’t know anger. This “True Self” or “Divine Self” as I call it is unshakable peace, infinite love and eternal joy. When I remember to tune in to this Self, I don’t see fear or anger, I just see love or calls for love.
Right on, Miriam. Now let’s try and be with the Self all the time!
Hey there Lucky! Thanks for the follow on Twitter. I’m relatively new to it, and not really sure of the etiquette and all that. Anyway, from your profile I linked to this page and had a quick look around. Very nice. So you help folks full time, huh? That could be a busy job
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Take care, and nice to “meet” you.
Mike