Peace of Mind

Transforming Anger

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Perhaps too much is written and spoken about anger these days. There are many reasons to feel it, for sure, and from this vantage point, the human world seems to be seething with it. The Taoists recommend that we respond to everything that comes our way with the same spirit; whether it's “good” or “bad” news, and not let it upset our equilibrium. I wonder whether that is even possible. I also wonder whether there is a way to recognize all the reasons for anger without being so stirred up all the time, and adding to the hostile energy we are currently captive to. Certainly, meditation and prayer help, but I'm searching for something to transform anger into action while still maintaining peace of mind.

There is a time for righteous anger, and as we can see from the news every night, people are plenty worked up about injustice and hatefulness. Everyday it seems to multiply. But anger too often turns to violence, which defeats any righteous purpose. I remember the face of Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights era. His words carried the outrage of his cause, but they also carried his deep desire for peace. His face, at least as I saw it, never betrayed him, and he trained his demonstrators in how to resist without showing anger or resorting to violence. It may have been eating him up inside, but he was a great enough container.

The best I can do is to stay centered and grounded. To find peace where I can, and to recognize it when the fury begins to build inside. It helps me to spend as much time in nature as possible. Sitting on the porch this morning, watching the breeze sway the trees, and listening to the crows yakking back and forth is calming to me. Looking down the hill, I see the magenta cloud of a crepe myrtle in full bloom. Beauty is always life giving. I urge you to find the people and places that give you life, and hold them close. The more peace we can generate within, the more we will see without. In the words of Emerson: "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside you."

                                                        In the Spirit,

                                                            Jane