Experiencing sadness, difficulties, feeling of loneliness, dejection is a common experience for all. Life’s pattern is woven with the threads of contrasts, which bring us joy and sorrow, peace and unrest. Though it is quite natural for us to go up and down with strong emotions, but these natural reactions of ours is neither beneficial for us, nor for our dear ones.
Next question comes, then how to get rid of them? Emotions can be dealt in two ways. We can face them with courage, and can transform those energies through some other creative channels. Other option is, by knowing our true blissful nature through meditation, we can go above the material pain, and can view them as passing phases of temporary life.
Buddhist theory which is very practical, and can be practiced by any layperson, in day-to-day life, has been very beautifully described by Jack Kornfield in his book “A Path With Heart”.
He shows us four ways to tattle problems, 1. By let go, 2. Transforming energy, 3. Putting aside, and 4. Acting mind fully.
He suggests, that to practice any method, first we must develop balance and compassion in our mind, and secondly our skill can be perfect only through constant practice. First method he refers as “letting go”. Here we become aware of the appearance of a particular problem, but without nurturing any aversion, or indifference towards it, we let it go for time being.
Knowing it’s impermanent nature, do not allow our mind to get upset about it. Our attitude should be, allow present to arise and pass away as waves of ocean.
Second formula he says, about transforming negative energy to positive energy. When a feeling of anger grips us, we are ready to explode, hurt others, and harm ourselves. In such situation, best thing is not to react immediately, and be calm, take a deep breath, go out, and may transform that strong energy into some creative, beneficial action, like gardening, playing some active game, etc till that, excess negative energy is released. Our greedy attachment maybe transformed into selfless loving activities for others.
His third formula is, acknowledging our strong emotion, we may put it aside, for time being, and can assure to work on it at an appropriate time and place. After some time, when the mind calms down, we may think on it again, and can take the right action.
Lastly, in every action of ours, mindfulness is a most essential quality. If we have to act, then two things must be followed, our action should not cause any harm to others and us, and we must be very mindful to our action, and observe it as a process of experience, which teaches us some thing in life.
According to Vedanta, through meditation, we realize we are not body; we all are Atman, part of divinity. Our inner blissful nature is truth, and life’s struggle comes to teach us that truth.
So there is no point in running away from problems. When we face them with courage, and with calm and clear decision, when we solve them, we evolve our spiritual nature. With sincere gratitude to our creator, we should accept all the ups and downs of life as a path towards our liberation. As Tagore says in one of his poems.
“In spite of the cruelty in your divine will,
It is only right that, what life brings,
Through which, I would learn to light the incense of my devotion, and the lamp of my understanding”.
Next question comes, then how to get rid of them? Emotions can be dealt in two ways. We can face them with courage, and can transform those energies through some other creative channels. Other option is, by knowing our true blissful nature through meditation, we can go above the material pain, and can view them as passing phases of temporary life.
Buddhist theory which is very practical, and can be practiced by any layperson, in day-to-day life, has been very beautifully described by Jack Kornfield in his book “A Path With Heart”.
He shows us four ways to tattle problems, 1. By let go, 2. Transforming energy, 3. Putting aside, and 4. Acting mind fully.
He suggests, that to practice any method, first we must develop balance and compassion in our mind, and secondly our skill can be perfect only through constant practice. First method he refers as “letting go”. Here we become aware of the appearance of a particular problem, but without nurturing any aversion, or indifference towards it, we let it go for time being.
Knowing it’s impermanent nature, do not allow our mind to get upset about it. Our attitude should be, allow present to arise and pass away as waves of ocean.
Second formula he says, about transforming negative energy to positive energy. When a feeling of anger grips us, we are ready to explode, hurt others, and harm ourselves. In such situation, best thing is not to react immediately, and be calm, take a deep breath, go out, and may transform that strong energy into some creative, beneficial action, like gardening, playing some active game, etc till that, excess negative energy is released. Our greedy attachment maybe transformed into selfless loving activities for others.
His third formula is, acknowledging our strong emotion, we may put it aside, for time being, and can assure to work on it at an appropriate time and place. After some time, when the mind calms down, we may think on it again, and can take the right action.
Lastly, in every action of ours, mindfulness is a most essential quality. If we have to act, then two things must be followed, our action should not cause any harm to others and us, and we must be very mindful to our action, and observe it as a process of experience, which teaches us some thing in life.
According to Vedanta, through meditation, we realize we are not body; we all are Atman, part of divinity. Our inner blissful nature is truth, and life’s struggle comes to teach us that truth.
So there is no point in running away from problems. When we face them with courage, and with calm and clear decision, when we solve them, we evolve our spiritual nature. With sincere gratitude to our creator, we should accept all the ups and downs of life as a path towards our liberation. As Tagore says in one of his poems.
“In spite of the cruelty in your divine will,
It is only right that, what life brings,
Through which, I would learn to light the incense of my devotion, and the lamp of my understanding”.
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