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Second Obstacle: Anger

"The ego is at the heart of anger when we rail against those who do not acknowledge our power or importance", states Kathleen McGowan in her book 7 Steps to Transforming Your Life Through the Lord's Prayer.

Here is where the struggle lies as to myself I feel so many people are distracted and do not listen closely to what is being stated, or asked.  Being aware of others around you and what needs are present is mindfulness. Mindfulness lends importance to others as well as asking for clarification when unsure about a need. I don't hesitate at asking for clarification as I feel it is a way of preventing angry situations. 

The Roots of Anger

It is said that the roots of anger wrong perceptions, lack of understanding and compassion.  The first two can be referred back to clarification to avoid anger.  This takes stopping long enough to want to receive the clarification that will gain a deeper or better understanding.  When gaining that understanding and shifting your perception you are showing compassion.  You a taking long enough to embrace a situation.

Letting out agressions

In psychology there is a method used where one would take out aggressions on a pillow, by punching it with a fist or stick.  This method has proven to only escalate anger.  "Venting your anger is a practice based on ignorance, When you imagine the object of your hate as a pillow, hitting the object of your hate, you rehearse your ignorance and anger. Instead of lessening your violence" stated by Thich Nhat Hanh in "Anger". 

Calming yourself

Yoga breath and relaxation techniques are very useful to allow your frustration to calm.  Another technique would be writing it down in a journal in third person, then meditating and then re-reading. 

We live in a fast paced world and many times I believe there are pieces left out making us feel not important or not being acknowledged.   

Rewiring You

Take the time to make the call to clarify, so much is misunderstood in text messaging.  Its less personal, just as email.  

Obstacles

Our emotions are responsible for creating obstacles. 1st EGO

I tell my yoga students to leave their EGO at the door in order to truly find their posture within an asana.  Ego is the first obstacle that triggers emotional response.  As students try forcing their bodies to do what it is not willing to do.  A posture in yoga is as unique as the individual performing the work.  "Your chair will not look like mine or the person next to you, " "however if your shoulders are back and down, your gaze is straight forward, your heart is shining out, (not down or bent over) you feel your gluts, and legs supporting you, that is your chair!" Now holding it while I cue all the postural cues may become more challenging.  That is building endurance.  Take a break, "push down through your feet and rise up through your legs, core to mountain".  With your arms now reaching up drop your shoulders down.  Take an even deeper breath because you have accomplished something great and you Ego will be proud.  


Your Ego is the trigger to the other six obstacles.  How often does your ego become your obstacle? Ego and Pride go hand and hand, neither of them win the prize.  With physical movement it has been interesting as I watch people  flayal themselves around creating postures that in no way resemble what they should.  The asanas becomes a grave distortion and doesn't achieve the goal intended.  One might then equate this fact to the person that is not able to achieve success in life.  The ego takes away from our divinity, and from our ability to become all we can be.  

look for Obstacle #2 next week

 Obstacles can be equated with the seven deadly sins, as stated by Kathleen McGowan in her book, "7 steps to transforming your life through the Lords Prayer".