Picture that one person in your life that is disagreeable. That one person that continues to appear in your life. No matter what you do, you just cannot seem to get along with. For me that person is always angry. I call him Angry Sam. He has gone out of his way on multiple occasions to let me know just how he feels. To me he feels spiteful, angry and just plain mean.
I try to ignore him, but sometimes Angry Sam gets my goat and I strike back. My response seems rational and justified. Why can’t he just leave me alone? Why can’t he go his own way? His anger makes me angry. My anger causes me physical distress. I know that I cannot change Angry Sam, so what can I do to stop this situation and heal my own body? What is missing in this relationship that makes it so toxic?
Compassion.
No, I am not saying to simply turn the other cheek. Nor am I suggesting pity or sympathy. True compassion is understanding. Taking the time to understand Angry Sam and why he acts as he does. All beings, humans included, are interested in self-preservation and happiness. Those are basic instincts and all beings typically act in the best interest of self-preservation and happiness. So, taking the time to understand with compassion why Angry Sam feels threatened is in the best interest of both of us. Understanding with care and Love why he feels threatened allows me to avoid his anger, which allows Angry Sam to heal his anger. That act of compassion also allows me to heal my own anger.
Stop the spinning circle of anger, blame and “us vs them” with compassion. Take the time to understand your fellow beings and they will learn to understand you. That is caring for yourself with Love and understanding as much as it is caring for others.
Now we are doing yoga…
Namaste
Blair is the co-owner of Yoga Daily in Mt. Pleasant, SC. [https://yogadailymountpleasant.com] He is a certified yoga instructor, recovering lawyer and a spiritual student. The content of this blog is what Blair considers to be universal truths that span all dogma and religion and it is offered to you in Love and Light. Check out Yoga Dude [https://yogadailymountpleasant.com/the-yoga-dude/] for additional blog entries. You can contact Blair at blair@yogadailymountpleasant.com. Yoga is but one path to the knowing that we are all One. Please take what resonates with you and leave the rest without judgement or offense.