AOM Meditations: My Attachment to Anger

 The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer

I've posted this article before 

I think it is one of the better things I've written

So I thought it was worth reading again

~*~

From my own Life Experience: 

Attachment to Anger

Riding the Wildfire Whirlwind of Anger

by AOM

In the children's book, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, Billy's grandpa teaches him a surefire way to trap raccoons. First, you drill a small hole into a log. Then, place a bright shiny object down in the hole. Next, drive nails at an angle along the shaft, so the raccoon can just squeeze in his paw to grab the shiny object. A raccoon comes along, slides its paw easily into the hole and closes his paw around the object. With the object in its closed paw, the raccoon cannot get its paw out. The only way for it to free itself is to release the object, but the raccoon won't release it. It has become trapped by its own greed (attachments).

A similar thing happens to me when a person in my life does things that annoy me to the point of feeling anger. I catch myself constantly having an inner-chat about how selfish, self-centered, and thoughtless that person is and how angry I feel about it - (my "shiny object"). I become stuck - attached to a cycle of thinking about being annoyed and angry - all because I won't let go of that "shiny object". Instead, I keep choosing to attach myself to it. In so doing, I end up choosing to allow that person to control a part of my life. My whole day or week can be wrecked because I simply won't release that "shiny object" and move on.

Fortunately, I am aware and mindful (enough) of what is going on inside my mind. I have learned to pay closer attention to the constant chatter in my mind. So now, when I catch myself replaying aggravating situations or playing out new scenarios in my mind, I stop and lovingly talk to myself about it. On some days I have to do this many times an hour. I have to keep reminding myself that I need to accept things I cannot change, let them go, adapt and flow on around them. I have to remember that my peace of mind is more important than my piece of anger. It comes down to the answer to this question: Do I want to live in a constant state of anger or do I want to live in a constant state of peace? I choose - the choice is mine.

I am learning to forgive others. That I, myself, can be thoughtless and selfish at times, too - and I have in the past. The person who injured me is in an injured state and just lashing out of ignorance. When I understand that they are in pain, then I can accept them and see beyond their illusion and pain. I can see where they are and hope to help them find peace. I can help them see their true selves. I always remind myself what Jesus had to say about this, 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 

For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you." 

It will take time and mindful awareness of what's being said in my head for me to learn to stop grabbing that "shiny object". I have not learned all the lessons I need to learn yet, but I think I am on the right path.

Lessons to Learn:

Response is a choice: I have a choice in how I will respond to the words and actions of others. Choose to see the situation as a challenge to spiritual growth - a spiritual jazz-ercise.

Accept what is: Once I accept what is, then I can see how to deal with problems more clearly - from a more compassionate perspective.

Forgiveness for what was:  Remember that forgiveness is more about the health of the one who forgives than the one who is forgiven.

Letting go of Anger: Remember what Buddha said, 

"Holding on to anger 

is like grasping a hot coal 

with the intent of throwing it 

at someone else; 

you are the one who gets burned." 

I accept my anger. It is a part of me, but I do not have to grab on and ride that wildfire whirlwind.

Learning Compassion for those who hurt me: The behavior of the person who hurt me is a symptom of the pain, suffering and struggle they are going through in their life. Remember what Jesus said even while they were crucifying him, 

"Father, forgive them 

for they know not what they do."

Learn from these Teachers: The people who cause me aggravation are teachers who come into my life to teach me things I need to learn. It is up to me to learn those lessons well.

Continue scanning for my own issues: Are there things I am not seeing in myself - things that I am holding on to (attachments) that I need to let go.

These are difficult lessons but lessons important for continued spiritual growth. Hopefully, something I've said here about my own struggles will be helpful to you.

~AOM

AOM Meditations: 072419

 Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) by Winslow Homer

~*~

“I must not fear. 

Fear is the mind-killer. 

Fear is the little-death 

that brings total obliteration. 

I will face my fear. 

I will permit it to pass 

over me and through me. 

And when it has gone past 

I will turn the inner eye to see its path. 

Where the fear has gone 

there will be nothing. 

Only I will remain.” 

~Frank Herbert

(Dune)

~*~

“Don't be afraid of your fears. 

They're not there to scare you. 

They're there to let you know 

that something is worth it.” 

~C. JoyBell C.

~*~

~*~

ART: "On the Beach" by Winslow Homer

On the Beach 1875 by Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th-century America and a preeminent figure in American art.

ART: Winslow Homer

 by Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th-century America and a preeminent figure in American art.

AOM Meditations: My Current Struggle

The Gulf Stream (1899) by WInslow Homer

~*~

I have been feeling anger at a person in my life who has hurt me and who constantly annoys me. I am trying to learn how best to come to terms with this person and the challenges they present. I often find it beneficial to write about emotional stuff like this in order to help me gain a healthier perspective. I hope that in sharing this, it may also be of some benefit to you. I am certain you will be able to relate.

From my Life: Attachment to Anger

Riding the Wildfire Whirlwind

by AOM

In the children's book, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, Billy's grandpa teaches him a surefire way to trap raccoons. First, you drill a small hole into a log. Then, place a bright shiny object down in the hole. Next, drive nails along the shaft, so the raccoon can just squeeze in his paw to grab the shiny object. A raccoon comes along, slides its paw easily into the hole and closes his paw around the object. With the object in its closed paw, the raccoon cannot get its paw out. The only way for it to free itself is to release the object, but the raccoon won't release it. It has become trapped by its own greed (attachments).

A similar thing happens to me when a person in my life does things that annoy me to the point of feeling anger. I catch myself constantly having an inner-chat about how selfish, self-centered, and thoughtless that person is and how angry I feel about it - (my "shiny object"). I become stuck - attached to a cycle of thinking about being annoyed and angry - all because I won't let go of that "shiny object". Instead, I keep choosing to attach myself to it. In so doing, I end up choosing to allow that person to control a part of my life. My whole day or week can be wrecked because I simply won't release that "shiny object" and move on.

Fortunately, I am aware and mindful (enough) of what is going on inside my mind. I have learned to pay closer attention to the constant chatter in my mind. So now, when I catch myself replaying aggravating situations or playing out new scenarios in my mind, I stop and lovingly talk to myself about it. On some days I have to do this many times an hour. I have to keep reminding myself that I need to accept things I cannot change, let them go, adapt and flow on around them. I have to remember that my peace of mind is more important than my piece of anger. It comes down to the answer to this question: Do I want to live in a constant state of anger or do I want to live in a constant state of peace? I choose - the choice is mine.

It will take time and mindful awareness of what's being said in my head for me to learn to stop grabbing that "shiny object". I have not learned all the lessons I need to learn yet, but I think I am on the right path.

Lessons to Learn:

Response is a choice: I have a choice in how I will respond to the words and actions of others. Choose to see the situation as a challenge to spiritual growth - a spiritual jazzercise.

Accept what is: Once I accept what is, then I can see how to deal with problems more clearly - from a more compassionate perspective.

Forgiveness for what was:  Remember that forgiveness is more about the health of the one who forgives than the one who is forgiven.

Letting go of Anger: Remember what Buddha said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." I accept my anger. It is a part of me, but I do not have to grab on and ride that wildfire whirlwind.

Learning Compassion for those who hurt me: The behavior of the person who hurt me is a symptom of the pain, suffering and struggle they are going through in their life. Remember what Jesus said even while they were crucifying him, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Learn from these Teachers: The people who cause me aggravation are teachers who come into my life to teach me things I need to learn. It is up to me to learn those lessons well.

Continue scanning for my own issues: Are there things I am not seeing in myself - things that I am holding on to (attachments) that I need to let go.

These are difficult lessons but lessons important for continued spiritual growth. Hopefully, something I've said here about my own struggles will be helpful to you.

AOM Meditations: 060718

Watching Ships, Gloucester (1875) by Winslow Homer 

(watercolour and gouache on paper)

Thanks to another Friend for sending us this beautiful art

~*~

"Not all habits are helpful, and bad habits can become cruel masters that are detrimental to our well-being.  Smoking, drinking, and taking drugs can rapidly develop into habits sabotaging our health and our relationships with others.  While the dangers of addictive drugs are becoming more obvious each day, sometimes habits that are much more subtle can be just as detrimental to our development into successful individuals. . . .

By the time a behavior pattern becomes a habit, it can feel so familiar that it seems to be a natural part of us, but, in fact, habits are learned and practiced.  Just as we have learned them over time, we can "unlearn" these practiced behaviors.  By observing yourself, you can become aware of the habitual ways you think and act that could be harmful.  When you're conscious of a habit you want to change, you can unlearn it by replacing the automatic behavior with a different, more thoughtful response.  You may make mistakes or slip back into old ways, but it's important not to give up.  Simply correct your behavior as soon as you're aware that you've slipped back into the old habit.  Determine how to be the master of your habits, so that your habits can be useful servants to you."

~John Marks Templeton

(Worldwide Laws of Life)

~*~

"The soul grows into lovely habits as easily as into ugly ones, and the moment a life begins to blossom into beautiful words and deeds, that moment a new standard of conduct is established, and your eager neighbors look to you for a continuous manifestation of the good cheer, the sympathy, the ready wit, the comradeship, or the inspiration, you once showed yourself capable of. Bear figs for a season or two, and the world outside the orchard is very unwilling you should bear thistles."

~Kate Douglas Wiggin

(Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm)

~*~

"A habit 

is something you can do without thinking--

which is why most of us 

have so many of them."

~Frank A. Clark