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Teacher: Rodney Smith
Date: 2011-04-12
Venue: Seattle Insight Meditation Center
Series
- The Satipatthana Sutta 2010-01-19
Description
Anger is often unconsciously encouraged because it clears away the doubting mind. “I know why I feel this way, and I am right,” says anger. Spiritually we can only approach and understand anger from humility, the opposite direction of righteousness. Anger usually arises as a component of grief where something you cared about was blocked or diverted away from you. If we can see anger as grief, humility is more easily accessed.
Homework
What is anger, how does it feel in the body, and how does it divide the mind? Notice the absolute view that forms the opinion within anger. If a root issue for you is a sense of unworthiness, anger can be used to compensate for this pain because anger is self-righteous and self-righteousness is imbued with personal power. You are not being conscious when you believe your opinion is the only reality. Stop and allow the anger to dissipate, be totally accountable and do not blame the anger on anyone. Let your spiritual intention for life come forward. Within this frame of reference, are you willing to face the terror of being wrong? You have to release your anger in order to listen to the other point of view. Are you willing to do that?
Video
Link to view on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/22420126
TalkID=882 SeriesID=42
