Why are You so Mad? Pt. 3

In the past few days, we have seen that getting angry is a common human reaction. We have considered the root of the problem, the reason behind anger that triggers this emotion. Today, we are going to reflect on the second question we should ask ourselves when considering if our anger is something the Spirit has manifested. What has resulted from our anger? Hurt or help?  

When anger is the result of the Spirit’s purposes being challenged, the result of it will be to help. When William Wilberforce saw how slaves were being treated, his anger resulted in the abolishment of the slave trade in the United Kingdom. Jesus got angry when He saw that the Pharisees lacked compassion for someone in need. His anger resulted in a leper being healed. When the Spirit’s intent (purpose) is being challenged, we see the reestablishment of the Spirit’s original purpose, in help for those in need.

On the contrary, when anger is the result of our preferences or the expression of hurt and pain, we will end up making matters worse. Either our health or our relationships will get hurt. Long-term anger has been linked to: high blood pressure, heart conditions, skin disorders, and digestive problems. 

Behind the reason (why) and the result (what) of our anger, there is always a who (the recipient of our fury), and most of the time they are disconnected. For example, you are mad at your boss, and your kids get unjustly reprimanded when you arrive home. When we do not address the root of the problem and deal with it as soon as possible, it results in two issues instead of just one. One problem because of the wrong why (the cause), and another problem with the who (the recipient of our anger, our health or our relationships). 

We must pay attention to the fruit of our anger. If it does not result in us helping others, then we must address it “before the sun goes down.” The Spirit is more than willing to forgive us and purify us from all anger, yet, only if the recapitulation is completed to cleanse the tonal and drain all energy out of anger, thus transforming anger into controlled folly.

 Thought of the Day: When I get angry, I need to ask myself, “What is the result of my anger? Hurt or help?” Then, take the results of your anger and recapitulate them! 

Warrior of Lite

Why are You so Mad? Pt. 2

Considering the matter of anger, we could certainly conclude that anger is a secondary emotion; it is the result of another feeling. Anger is at the surface, but the emotion that triggers it is the root of the problem. 

That is the answer to your why. 

It is precisely this which makes the difference between legitimate anger (non-personal) and illegitimate anger (personal). The question that we should ask ourselves is the following: “why am I angry?” Is it because of my preferences or is it because of the Spirit's purposes? There is a vast difference between the two. 

When you get angry because your desires are not met, the reason behind your why is your preferences. It's personal. There is something that you want, but that you are not getting. This can be: respect, love, the fastest lane in the highway, a parking space, the best table at a restaurant, and so on.  Your selfishness is being confronted, and you want to “fight back.” You feel that you “deserve” something that you are not getting. We get frustrated because of unmet expectations. 

The second reason behind your why is utterly different. You get angry because the Spirit’s purposes are challenged. It seems to be something the great Spirit manifested out of nowhere. Something we don't understand takes place, and that makes us angry. Some people call this ‘Spirit anger,’ or ‘civilization anger,' or just 'anger at society' or 'anger at the situation or world.' 

 

Spirit anger can be related to when one confronts racism or sexism. Or, there was a mass lay-off at your company and you were a part of it, although you do a great job. It’s an anger that you can’t take personally and you don't understand, yet it angers you. It’s a big picture anger. Why was there slavery? Why are companies allowed to advertise (obviously) un-healthy products such as cigarettes and soda? Why did the little girl next door develop cancer? Perhaps we can label these, ‘legitimate anger expressions,’ and the reason behind them. 

The question we should all ask when anger arises is, why am I angry? The answer will allow us to realize its legitimacy. Then, once this has happened, both forms of anger can be eliminated by the recapitulation and one day, all forms of anger are just controlled folly.

 

Thought of the Day - When I get angry, I need to ask myself, “Why am I angry? Is it because of my preferences or societies purposes being challenged?” 

Warrior of Lite

Why are You so Mad?

As human beings, we can all relate to struggling with anger. It does not matter how patient, kind, and lovable we are. At a given moment, we all get angry. It’s a common reaction, yet it warns us about its consequences. 

A survey shows that 70 percent of new American referees quit their jobs within the first three years of work. Based on the study carried out by the National Association of Sports officials, all referees agreed on their reason for quitting: pervasive abuse from parents and coaches. The question that arises from this survey is, why do we get angry at what is supposed to be a fun time? How is it possible that something that should be a pleasant and enjoyable time becomes a “war zone”?

Our culture is filled with movies that show us people getting mad and expressing their fury for different reasons and in different ways: Mad Max, Falling Down, Anger Management. Characters react with increasing violence facing their frustrations. It is very common; it is human. The well-known Latin saying states, “Errare umanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum” - to err is human, but to persist is diabolical.

If anger is so common among us human beings, what is the problem? 

It is crystal clear that the reaction of anger is normal, but the problem is that it can become a habit. The results of anger can hurt us and our relationships. Through the next several posts, we will analyze the “why” behind our anger; we will go to the root of it, expose it, and get rid of all the hindrances that stop us from walking in the Warrior’s path.

Thought of the Day: It is ok to get angry; it is not ok to persist. 

Warrior of Lite

Warrior's Log - Ten

I'll post here when I get some time. 

Warrior's Log - Nine

I'll get to this when I can.

Precursor to the Recapitulation

In both gardening and spiritual (Warrior's Way) terms, planting and harvesting are exciting seasons. Planting is the start of an adventure; harvesting is the product of hard work. It’s easy to celebrate new beginnings and hard-earned completions - but one thing that’s not as much fun?

The pruning process. (Recapitulation.)

Who wants to acknowledge what’s dead and unproductive in their lives? Who wants to trim back what’s already blooming - leaving you smaller, awkward, and feeling extra weak and at a loss for energy?

But pruning is exactly what we need to keep producing fruit.

One aspect of the Warrior’s Way is the recapitulation and there are two separate actions in this process - cutting off what’s dead and pruning fruit.

Cutting out what’s dead makes sense. It’s extra weight, it’s unproductive, it’s blocking sunlight, and it’s stealing good energy from branches that could thrive. But without proper context, pruning fruit feels backwards.

However, the purpose of pruning isn’t to disable something, but to revitalize it.

If a branch is weak or diseased, it could not only damage itself, but the surrounding trees as well. Without pruning, both the tree and the life surrounding it can never reach full potential.

Pruning creates room for more growth.

Pruning stimulates production.

Pruning keeps the plant or person strong.

The Spirit through the Warrior’s Way and recapitulation is a good ‘gardener’. This process wouldn’t be a good ‘gardener’ if it left you to yourself - overgrown, ineffective, and full of dysfunction. So, through the Warrior’s Way process you cut off what’s dead for your benefit. Trim back ineffective things in your life to make way for more ‘fruit’.

You can trust the Spirit, including the Warrior’s Way and impeccable recapitulation with your life because only then can you see who you are and who you can become.

So what ‘dead branches’ are you dragging around? Is it possible that YOU are (finally!) ready for pruning you for future growth and preparing for more advanced tasks within the Warrior’s Way? (Dreaming, Stalking, Mastery of Awareness, etc.) Take a few moments and meditate on any areas in your life that you recognize need to change. (Beliefs, self-importance, personal history, ego, etc.)

Here is a link to the recapitulation page of this blog.

Warrior of Lite

The Key to Real Wisdom

Would you ever build a house without blueprints? Or assemble an airplane without instructions? Or conduct open-heart surgery without training?

Hopefully your answer is “no.”

If we want to know how something works, we should look to the expert for insight. In a similar way, if we want to know how the world works, we should look to the great Spirit.

The Spirit made the world and everything in it. It knows how life works best.

But too often, we look to ourselves or even to others to tell us who we are, what to think, and to explain to us how life works. The good news is:

Wisdom doesn’t begin with us - the created.

Wisdom begins with the Spirit - the Creator.

Are you interested in real wisdom? Genuine insight? True understanding? Look to the great Spirit, study the Warrior’s Way. Examine and walk the Warrior’s path closely and then find what you’re searching for with an impeccable attitude. 

Real wisdom starts with a Spirit-centered foundation. Everything else is built on that rock.

But as we do that, we must first honestly ask ourselves some hard questions: Do I want to learn from the Spirit and the Warrior’s Way, or would I rather do my own thing? Do I want impeccable wisdom, or would I rather follow my own misguided beliefs?

So, right now, be real with yourself: Are you willing to surrender your way of thinking and genuinely look to the Spirit and the impeccable Warrior’s Way, or would you rather just do your own thing? If you feel a wall of pride going up within you, ask the Spirit to help you knock it down. Brick by brick, it can reestablish your foundation.

Warrior of Lite