Why Get Upset?

 

Replace Anger with Tolerance  -  The sixth chapter of the Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life is considered to be a special magical precept from Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, for replacing anger with tolerance. The essence is: Why get upset if you can do something about something? And if you can't do anything about it, then why get upset?  -Robert Thurman, “Rising to the Challenge: Cool Heroism”

I see many people work themselves into a mass of anger over a situation which they may have not created, and which they cannot control.  I realize that often the anger is about the injustice of a situation, or, I should say, the perceived injustice in the situation.

Often too, the anger is about not tolerating anything that seems to be a compromise.  In this case, the ego is so strong that everything must be either the person’s way, or they erupt in anger.

If we avoid getting upset, often we can see a different way to resolve our feelings because we can see a solution for the situation.  It is hard to think outside the box if we are sitting in the box and stewing about it.

If you want to read more about anger and being upset, check these blog posts.

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/04/dealing-with-anothers-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/06/resentment-is-frozen-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/09/anger-is-irritating.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/04/release-past-grudges-and-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/03/overcoming-helplessness.html

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Blessings and peace,

Judy

Feeling The Silence

Silence is another kind of space. When everything is quiet and suddenly there is a noise, we ordinarily say the silence was shattered. But it’s more accurate to say that we forget the silence and listen only to the sound.  -Ken McLeod, "Something from Nothing"

I know that the world around us is never really silent.  That is a given.  Science has proven that there are levels of sound waves that humans simply cannot hear.  It is also true that there are times when life is incredibly noisy.  When I go to a shopping mall, or to a large event, or even to a party with lots of people and with music, I find that the noise can assault my senses – even my feelings. 

I found this quote on silence, and realized for me, that it is true; I focus on the noise instead of the lack of noise that surrounds it. 

For me, silence is a feeling that lets me be aware of so many other things.  I hear my thoughts and I feel the touch of the thoughts and, sometimes, can follow the trail of the thought back to the origin.  This may take me through several levels of awareness.  The silence, for me, becomes a space to work in.  

Try the working in silence and see what it brings you.  Let me know.

Blessings,

Judy