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JElje Fortiani» tß b w w
Focus
July 14,1999
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An Exercise in Anger Management
Bv Geshe Kalsang Damdul and
Donna Selby
Contributing Writers from the
Northwest Tibetan Cultural Associa
tion
Geshe Damdul: When we see some
kind of violence, we identify it as a
negative emotion. If we are able to
separate from the influence of nega
tive emotions, then we can change our
attitudes towards that person. It takes
time because we need to understand
how negative emotions over controls
us. We need to go to the root cause.
Donna: Inoursociety, we get caught
in the mind set that the faster we go the
more successful we are. The more
money we make, the happier we will
become. This kind of thinking keeps
the mind spinning which produces a
cauldron like effect of inner conflict,
obstruction, oppression, exhaustion,
and unhappiness.
So in order to get to the root for
healing to take place we need to see the
cause and effect of how stress and
negative emotion harm us. When I
observe myself, one of the first things
which happens in stressful situations
is my breath is diminished as well as
the physiology of my body through the
loss of energy, constriction, tightness
of muscles, ligaments, increased heart
rate, and exhaustion. In the law of
cause and effect, what goes out re
turns. In other words, anger becomes
a partner in crime inward to myself
and outward toward others. So if I
speak out of anger, the repercussions
echo in all directions affecting others
and returning back its ferocity many
times greater than the original attack.
In your opinion, how can we get to the
root to undo old destructive behavior
and reconnect in a healthier way?
Geshe Damdul: One of the most
helpful ways to tame negative emotions
is to meditate on the breath and the
mind in order to help calm down. First
you observe your breathing and then
try to settle down and relax yourself.
When you reach a relaxed state, you
abide in it. You try to withdraw from
your five senses and just let the natural.
emotional state arise. And then you
reach a point that is like a clear serenity.
This is a very natural state of mind.
This helps to overcome all kinds of
delusions, especially anger.
Donna: Have you ever watched the
daily activities of animals? They rest,
play, rest, eat, rest, go to the bathroom,
play, and go to sleep. Animals are so in
tune with the nature of meditation.
The universe is asking us to awaken to
the natural way of being. Deep inside
we know this state. So to meditate is to
relearn the natural way to re-balance
ourselves.
Geshe Damdul: Meditation helps
to let go of tension, to not be attached
to it. When a negative thought or emo
tion arises, let it pass and
the tensions leave with it.
You can recognize the ten
sion and through feeling,
let it go. Meditation will
help see the potential of
becoming compassionate,
enlightened beings.
D onna: W hen the
breath becomes stabilized in medita
tion, the mind becomes balanced and
the mind-body together resonate in
peace. The energy of the mind-body-
spirit is harmonious. As the branches
of a tree rest in peaceful solitude so do
its roots ground it. Meditation much
like the tree of nature, balances the
mind and grounds the body helping it
to remember its peaceful state. The
root of all which drives the body. To
find a means to quiet the mind will help
the body remember its natural state
which is peace.
Just look into Buddah’s face which
holds the expression of deep peace. It
makes me feel good just to look at his
calmness and he found it simply by
connecting to the nature within himself
through meditation. As Geshe Damdul
said, “If we are able to separate from
the influence of negative emotions, then
we can change our attitudes’ and learn
to live harmoniously with ourselves
and others. Try it and you will be sur
prised how peaceful it is inside. In
silence, you’ll find the way...sh-h.
The Venerable Geshe Kalsang
Damdul will be speaking on Friday,
July 30 and Saturday, July 31 at the
First United Methodist Church. This
will be his final appearance before
returning to India. The events will be
from 8 AM until 4 PM and are free to
all. To register, call 503/657-5838 or
360/604-7965.
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P* MeMenamins vt
S u m m e r E ven ts
Flatlands
Thursday, July 15
Theresa Demerest & Good Company
Thursday, July 22
Songwriters in the Round with Craig Carothers
Sunday, July 25 at 7:30pm • $7.00 admission
The Jack McMahon Band
Thursday, July 29
The Jessie Samsel Band
Thursday, August 5 at 7pm
Retta & the Smart Fellas
Thursday, August 12
UNCF Fundraiser with Tom Grant
Tuesday, August 17
I& I
Thursday, August 19
M eM enam ins K ennedy School
he Venerable Geshe Kalsang Damdul has received many tantric teachings and
titiations from the Dalai Lama. He will be giving his last talk on July 30th and 31st
i Portland before leaving for India.
5736 NE 33rd • Portland, Oregon • (505) 249-3983