Monday, July 01, 2013

WELCOME, ANGER!


Some Thoughts from
The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
(R+R with Delycia)

     In an R+R session this morning, when the teacher mentioned that we would be better off welcoming feelings like anger rather than repelling them, it made good sense to me. Surprisingly enough, if I resist certain feelings, they essentially grow stronger, as though fighting with them makes them more forceful. Similarly, if I pretend anger doesn’t exist, it just gets more puffed up, parading around inside me until, at some point, it pounds its way out. This morning, as I listened to the teacher, I saw a scenario in my mind, myself saying to anger something like, “Hey, what’s up? Come on in. Show me what you can teach me.” I saw anger suddenly slow down and seem surprised, and then visibly weaken, its power softened by my straightforward acceptance. It was no longer a strong and fearsome force, just another brief feeling floating through my life. I saw myself saying hello to anger, and then goodbye, as it submissively and harmlessly left – as it will, almost always, if I first welcome it.



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