Weekly Words of Wisdom
chosen by Lama Surya Das
for Dzogchen Center

11 September 2000

LAMA SURYA DAS'
FIVE STEPS TO DEALING WITH  ANGER


1. Feel the feeling arising;

2. Acknowledge it as anger, rather than denying and suppressing it;

3. Observe it, analyze the reasons and components of it;

4. Embrace it, cradle it rather than rejecting it outright;

5. Channel it constructively (creatively), rather than destructively
(violently).


Learning:

"Hatred is never overcome by hatred and anger.
Hatred is overcome by love, forbearance  and forgiveness."
                       The Buddha

Clues:

Anger is best dealt with by patience and forbearance;
Hatred by forgiveness, tolerance and equanimity;
Aggression by calming and quieting, and including;
Violence by restraint, redirection and reconditioning.

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