Gita Yoga How to Deal with Anger, Frustration and Resentment. by Andre Gray

Contents The Energy of Anger The Origin of Anger The 3 Catalysts of Anger The 4 Possible Responses to Anger Acceptance In Summary

The Energy of Anger

The Origin of Anger

The 3 Catalysts of Anger

The 4 Possible Responses to Anger

Acceptance

In Summary

The Energy of Anger There are 3 Energies of Nature ( Prakriti ) Sattva - Preservative Raja - Creative Tama - Degenerative

There are 3 Energies of Nature ( Prakriti )

Sattva - Preservative

Raja - Creative

Tama - Degenerative

The Energy of Anger Anger is born of the 2 nd energy of nature; Raja , the creative energy. There is a story in the Puranas of Vedic India regarding anger, its energy and the effect it had on a particular family. Go to www.GitaYoga.net and click on recordings to listen.

Anger is born of the 2 nd energy of nature; Raja , the creative energy.

There is a story in the Puranas of Vedic India regarding anger, its energy and the effect it had on a particular family. Go to www.GitaYoga.net and click on recordings to listen.

The Origin of Anger The origin, progression and effect of anger is systematically and methodically described in the 2 nd chapter of the Gita. This list is taken from that description. I have left out the Sanskrit to allow for brevity and clarity. Contemplation Attachment Craving ANGER Delusion Loss of memory Loss of judgment and a sense of right and wrong Regret

The origin, progression and effect of anger is systematically and methodically described in the 2 nd chapter of the Gita.

This list is taken from that description. I have left out the Sanskrit to allow for brevity and clarity.

Contemplation

Attachment

Craving

ANGER

Delusion

Loss of memory

Loss of judgment and a sense of right and wrong

Regret

The Origin of Anger Contemplation : To be concerned with external objects of sensual gratification. Attachment : The erroneous belief that said objects of sensual gratification are the source of happiness. Craving : The will to pursue and achieve said objects of sensual gratification.

Contemplation : To be concerned with external objects of sensual gratification.

Attachment : The erroneous belief that said objects of sensual gratification are the source of happiness.

Craving : The will to pursue and achieve said objects of sensual gratification.

The Origin of Anger Anger: An attachment revealed. Anger reveals the existence of an attachment. Attachments (erroneous beliefs) steal and hamper our ability to experience true spiritual happiness ( Brahma-ananda ).

Anger: An attachment revealed.

Anger reveals the existence of an attachment.

Attachments (erroneous beliefs) steal and hamper our ability to experience true spiritual happiness ( Brahma-ananda ).

The Three Types of Catalysts that Ignite Our Anger 1) When we cannot achieve the object of our attachment. 2) When there are unforeseen consequences after we have attained the object of our attachment. 3) When the object of our attachment is threatened or taken away.

1) When we cannot achieve the object of our attachment.

2) When there are unforeseen consequences after we have attained the object of our attachment.

3) When the object of our attachment is threatened or taken away.

The Four Responses to Anger 1) Repression: “I shouldn’t be angry”. - Here we tend to blame ourselves or minimize, deny and invalidate our feelings and upset. We then try to distract ourselves with TV, food, work etc.

1) Repression: “I shouldn’t be angry”.

- Here we tend to blame ourselves or minimize, deny and invalidate our feelings and upset. We then try to distract ourselves with TV, food, work etc.

The Four Responses to Anger 2) Suppression: “I shouldn’t show my anger” - This generally happens when friends, family and loved ones cause us upset. This can also be evident in relationships with persons in a position of authority over us. Here we may resort to the same distractions as mentioned previously.

2) Suppression: “I shouldn’t show my anger”

- This generally happens when friends, family and loved ones cause us upset. This can also be evident in relationships with persons in a position of authority over us. Here we may resort to the same distractions as mentioned previously.

The Four Responses to Anger 3) Aggression: “I should vent my anger.” Aggression manifests in 3 ways: Active Aggression Passive Aggression Redirected Aggression

3) Aggression: “I should vent my anger.”

Aggression manifests in 3 ways:

Active Aggression

Passive Aggression

Redirected Aggression

The Four Responses to Anger 3) Aggression Active Aggression This is to lash out verbally and/or physically. It feels good initially but has long-term, negative consequences. “ Speak when you are angry and you will give the best speech you will ever regret”.

3) Aggression

Active Aggression

This is to lash out verbally and/or physically. It feels good initially but has long-term, negative consequences.

“ Speak when you are angry and you will give the best speech you will ever regret”.

The Four Responses to Anger 3) Aggression Passive Aggression Here we may be sarcastic, demeaning and insulting to others. We may criticize and undermine others in their absence. The sinister nature of passive aggression is that it can appear innocent and/or be easily explained away.

3) Aggression

Passive Aggression

Here we may be sarcastic, demeaning and insulting to others. We may criticize and undermine others in their absence. The sinister nature of passive aggression is that it can appear innocent and/or be easily explained away.

The Four Responses to Anger Aggression Redirected Aggression Here our anger pours forth onto the innocent. We have a difficult day at work and we go home and abuse our family. Our luggage goes to Anchorage as we arrive in Bermuda and we give what-for to the hapless airline clerk.

Aggression

Redirected Aggression

Here our anger pours forth onto the innocent. We have a difficult day at work and we go home and abuse our family. Our luggage goes to Anchorage as we arrive in Bermuda and we give what-for to the hapless airline clerk.

The Four Responses to Anger 4) Acceptance: “I will acknowledge my anger”. - Here we accept, acknowledge and OWN our anger. We recognize that we are the source of our anger and are therefore the only ones with the power to identify it, address it and effect a transformation.

4) Acceptance: “I will acknowledge my anger”.

- Here we accept, acknowledge and OWN our anger. We recognize that we are the source of our anger and are therefore the only ones with the power to identify it, address it and effect a transformation.

The Two Parts to Acceptance The Cause The cause is a particular attachment. This we will compare to dynamite. 2) The Catalyst The catalyst is the circumstance, event or person. This we will compare to a match.

The Cause

The cause is a particular attachment. This we will compare to dynamite.

2) The Catalyst

The catalyst is the circumstance, event or person. This we will compare to a match.

Acceptance Anger is an attachment revealed. We become angry (explode) when a particular circumstance or person (catalyst) ignites the dynamite (attachments) we have stored within ourselves. Catalysts must of course be dealt with but the key is to deal with the cause (remove the dynamite). In acceptance we recognize that our attachments are the cause of our anger and resentments.

Anger is an attachment revealed. We become angry (explode) when a particular circumstance or person (catalyst) ignites the dynamite (attachments) we have stored within ourselves.

Catalysts must of course be dealt with but the key is to deal with the cause (remove the dynamite). In acceptance we recognize that our attachments are the cause of our anger and resentments.

Acceptance In acceptance we identify and then root out the attachment (the erroneous belief that happiness is derived from and dependant upon sensual gratification). To root out these erroneous beliefs we must attain Brahma-ananda (spiritual happiness) which is achieved by the practice of Sadhana .

In acceptance we identify and then root out the attachment (the erroneous belief that happiness is derived from and dependant upon sensual gratification).

To root out these erroneous beliefs we must attain Brahma-ananda (spiritual happiness) which is achieved by the practice of Sadhana .

In Summary Anger is an attachment revealed. An attachment is merely a belief, an erroneous belief, that happiness resides outside of us and in things, people and circumstances. To deal with anger find the attachment.

Anger is an attachment revealed.

An attachment is merely a belief, an erroneous belief, that happiness resides outside of us and in things, people and circumstances.

To deal with anger find the attachment.

In Summary When you have identified the attachment you can try to satisfy it (I do not recommend this course of action as you will eventually have to deal with another attachment later on) or you can cultivate and achieve Brahma-ananda and experience the reservoir of spiritual happiness that resides within each of us. The attainment of Brahma-ananda is not easily accomplished and, like all worthy endeavors, requires consistent and diligent practice.

When you have identified the attachment you can try to satisfy it (I do not recommend this course of action as you will eventually have to deal with another attachment later on) or you can cultivate and achieve Brahma-ananda and experience the reservoir of spiritual happiness that resides within each of us.

The attainment of Brahma-ananda is not easily accomplished and, like all worthy endeavors, requires consistent and diligent practice.

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