Friday, 08 February 2013
1 Replies
2K Visits
I would like to share this in reference to your question, as I found it very practical for my own struggles with wrathful egos.
But I ask you: why do we have anger within ourselves? Why? Is it possible for us to change? Yes, it is possible! I proposed to change and did change. I was wrathful, but I knew the process of anger.--Samael Aun Weor
I proposed to eliminate it and I did. It is clear that I had to pass through certain sacrifices to finally eliminate anger.
I visited places where somebody could insult me. I went with the purpose of being insulted. I knew that the person XX took no pleasure in our teachings and I visited him intentionally so that he could insult me. For the next half an hour or hour I "self-observed" myself. I observed my internal and external reactions, the impulses that came from within and those that came from without; I observed the causes that motivated the anger.
I could see that in some circumstances the anger was produced because my pride was hurt. I could verify on other occasions that the anger was produced because my self-love was hurt. I thought that I was a grand person. I did not comprehend that I was only a worm in the mud of the earth. I believed that I was great, yet if someone touched on a sore point within I would react furiously with thunder and lightning, ripping at my clothing and protesting.
I proposed to study all these aspects of anger and through grand super-efforts and sacrifices, the anger was consequently eliminated. Thus if one says, "I am like this," it does not have any value because one can change and if one changes he benefits himself and his fellow man.
We should learn to eliminate our errors. It is possible by reflecting a little.
Accepted Answer
When sorrows fall upon the wise,
Their minds should be serene and undisturbed.
For in their war against defiled emotion,
Many are the hardships, as in every battle.
Thinking scorn of every pain,
And vanquishing such foes as hatred:
These are exploits of victorious warriors.
The rest is slaying what is dead already!
Suffering also has its worth.
Through sorrow, pride is driven out
And pity felt for those who wander in samsara;
Evil is avoided; goodness seems delightful.
[...]
Although we almost never feel compassion
For those who, through defilement,
Bring about their own perdition,
What purpose does our anger serve?
If those who are like wanton children
Are by nature prone to injure others,
There's no reason for our rage;
It's like resenting fire for being hot.
And if their faults are fleeting and contingent,
If living beings are by nature mild,
It's likewise senseless to resent them--
As well as be angry at the sky when its full of smoke!
Although it is their sticks that hurt me,
I am angry at the ones who wield them, striking me.
But they in turn are driven by their hatred;
Therefore with their hatred I should take offence.
Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva 6:19-21, 38-41
Joyful in hope, suffering in tribulation, be thou constant in thy prayer.
Benedictis, qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"
Accepted Answer
When sorrows fall upon the wise,
Their minds should be serene and undisturbed.
For in their war against defiled emotion,
Many are the hardships, as in every battle.
Thinking scorn of every pain,
And vanquishing such foes as hatred:
These are exploits of victorious warriors.
The rest is slaying what is dead already!
Suffering also has its worth.
Through sorrow, pride is driven out
And pity felt for those who wander in samsara;
Evil is avoided; goodness seems delightful.
[...]
Although we almost never feel compassion
For those who, through defilement,
Bring about their own perdition,
What purpose does our anger serve?
If those who are like wanton children
Are by nature prone to injure others,
There's no reason for our rage;
It's like resenting fire for being hot.
And if their faults are fleeting and contingent,
If living beings are by nature mild,
It's likewise senseless to resent them--
As well as be angry at the sky when its full of smoke!
Although it is their sticks that hurt me,
I am angry at the ones who wield them, striking me.
But they in turn are driven by their hatred;
Therefore with their hatred I should take offence.
Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva 6:19-21, 38-41
Joyful in hope, suffering in tribulation, be thou constant in thy prayer.
Benedictis, qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"
There are no replies made for this post yet.