Saturday, May 2, 2009

Master Our Emotion

I read this story from a book for kids, but I think the wisdom is deep enough for any adult. In the African prairie, an intrepid wild horse can often be killed by a tiny bat. When a bat attacks a horse, it attaches to a leg of the horse, and then pricks into the horse skin with its sharp teeth and sucks blood from the horse. However hard the horse runs and jumps, it cannot get rid of the bat. The horse can be exhausted to death by raging, running and bleeding. Scientists analyzed the situation and concluded that the small volume of blood loss can’t kill a horse; actually, the horse dies of its uncontrolled fury and wild running.

Usually, we allow the outside events to take charge of our emotions, to stifle our wisdom and to control our reactions. We are not hurt by the other people, but by our own anger, hatred, anxiety or fear. If we lose tempers, we lose our concentration and wisdom; hence, we can’t judge well and react properly. Our uncontrolled emotion can eat us alive. We had better master our emotions and keep calm in any situation so that we can protect ourselves unharmed.

Some researchers believe spiritual living can lead to emotional freedom. Likewise, in Buddhism, as you reach the realm of enlightenment, you can be unmoved by eight kinds of circumstances: - fortune, misfortune, slander, honor, insult, praise, hardship and happiness. If you don’t have right control of your emotion, the good situations can make you go wild with joy and the bad situations can make you feel infuriated or mortified, and then you will become vulnerable. Either good or bad situations can become hindrances.

Slander and insults are most intolerable things for most people. Zen advises people not to dispute or debate when slandered. Being slandered or insulted is helping you eliminate your karmic obstacles and slanderers are collecting their own negative karma. The more you are insulted, the more you are blessed. To remain unmoved by slander is deep concentration and is the revelation of wisdom. It may not be enjoyable, but it is helpful. I think it works sometimes, but you have the right to fight back by resorting to law to get just dues.

As my understanding, to control our emotion means to keep our peace of mind undisturbed and to stick with our principle and belief system at any circumstance. Some people can be mean-spirited and narrow-minded, we can still be kind and fair; some people can be spiteful and slanderous, we can still be warm-hearted and reasonable; some people can play tricks, we can still be generous and graceful.

If we can maintain an undisturbed mind and be our true self unconditionally, we are close to emotional freedom. An emotional mature and strong person is reliable and likable. As James Allen said, “The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.”

20 comments:

Reg Fife said...

Hate to be a party-pooper, but regarding the bat and the horse...

Vampire bats are only native to South and Central America, not Africa. Furthermore, they do not feed by "latching on". They make a small incision in the skin and lick up the blood as it runs out.

Also, I know they have zebras in Africa, but wild horses?

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/622534/vampire-bat#ref=ref710536

Good post overall, though. I'm just doing my bit to advance true science.

Jade Meng said...

Thank you for your comment. I read this horse and bat thing from an inspirational book and I just believe it is true.

I googled the internet, there are several kinds of wild horses and asses in Africa. Even zebras can be called Africa's striped wild horses.

Also, there are vampire bats in Africa. Research has shown that certain African bats are responsible for the spread of more than one of the world’s many viruses.

I am not sure. Our knowledge can be limited.

Andrea said...

Great post!

Loomis said...

Wonderful article!
Have you read Joe Vitale's book Zero Limits? I think you would love it.

Thanks for you comment on my blog!

Jade Meng said...

Thank you, Loomis. I am reading the book "Awaken the Giant within" by Anthony Robbins. Actually, I was sort of inspired by his book to write this article.

I will check Joe Vitale's book Zero Limits. You've collected a lot of good quotes.

Lover Boy and Girl said...

Hello there,

This article is awesome. It's so true. I can't say anything but agree to what you have written. This is very applicable to all our lives.

Love it. Thanks for sharing.

R. Farlodrian said...

Actually, there were no positive or negative events. It's our belief system which gives label to those events. If we can't change events which we regard as negative, we still can respond them positively...

Inspired post, Jade....

Jade Meng said...

Thanks for you two. I am sort of addicted to the internet. I never met a real bad person from internet, but I know some really troublesome people in real life.

A blog reveals more than a regular chat. I think people who can self reflect and love to write and must have a sensitive soul.

R. Farlodrian said...

I like to read your "sensitive soul" words...

Loomis said...

"Awaken the Giant Within" by Anthony Robbins, is one of my all time favorite reads. It's a wonderful book. I believe that book has the power to change anyone for the better.

Check out my new article if you get the chance soon, I take pride in it :)
http://www.successdemandsaction.com/2009/05/mastering-law-of-attraction.htmlKeep up the wonderful writing, and thanks for commenting my list of quotes. I will keep adding more and more, I consider them a quick source of inspiration that can help anyone in the need of a pick me up.

I wish you love and peace of mind,
Yours truly,
Loomis

SingaporeDraws said...

EC drop!

R. Farlodrian said...

I recommend a good commercial video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA which I think it's related to this post....

Thirty Seconds said...

This is one of those mystical things. I read this post when I really needed it. Didn't know I was even looking for it. I love that stuff.

Struggling Parents said...

Amazing post...thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment..have a great day !!!

Thea said...

I love this...
"in Buddhism, as you reach the realm of enlightenment, you can be unmoved by eight kinds of circumstances: fortune, misfortune, slander, honor, insult, praise, hardship and happiness."
Reminds me of a favorite quote by Robert Frost...
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence."
Cheers, Thea

Jade Meng said...

I am glad you people like this post. "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly." Take ourselves lightly, we can enjoy life more.

Cheers, Jade

Unknown said...

Hello...your thoughts are similar to my own.
I just wrote an article on unconditional self- love which I have submitted to
Articles for Angels weekly.
It is all about loving oneself unconditionally in order to be able to truly accept who they are and be able to transfer that love and acceptance through to another.

Excellent post!

Have a very positive day!

Jade Meng said...

Dorothy, I agree unconditional self-love is very important. Without self-love, we have no power to love anyone.

You have a fantastic blog. I will follow back.

Unknown said...

Very nice site! Thanks for bring joy and peace to an otherwise hype and panic sticken world.

The Universe Guru
www.theuniverseguru.com

Jade Meng said...

Mina, it is important to keep peace of mind in a tumultuous situation.

You have a nice site, too.