Transforming Anger into Compassion

Many people feel very justified living in the frequency of anger and blame. After all – the atrocities around us are well documented and it has been decided that there is evil in the world. When we practice the art of looking deeply into situations instead of reacting in judgment, we might find that had we been born in that situation, with that imprinting or belief system, that it\’s possible we could have behavior similar to the one being judged.

Understanding transforms anger into compassion. Looking deeply is one of the most effective ways of transforming ourselves and thus, the world.

Buddhism teaches that the lack of understanding creates suffering and that understanding is the power that will liberate us.

Christ taught that others know not what they do and should be forgiven… to love one\’s enemies.

Gandhi said that love is the force that can liberate. The only way that we can love is to understand.

When judgment arises in any situation, try asking yourself the following questions:

• Why is he/she that way?
• How did he/she come to think like that?
• Why doesn\’t he/she see things the way I do?

If you don\’t know the answers to the above questions, realize that the judgment you feel is based upon your own projections of the situation and that you must look deeper to truly understand. Understanding the the most important aspect of transformation. When we create a dialog, we allow an opportunity to understand the other as well as ourselves. Understanding a person brings us the power to love and accept him or her. And the moment we love and accept another, they cease to be our enemy.