But, how do you practice this ideal in today’s world?

Our lives are fast and our world is busy. People are tough, and if we do not stand up for ourselves we are going to get walked all over. Right?

We need to be tough. We need to stand up for ourselves. We need to be fight back, sometimes even be a bit aggressive, in a rightous kind of way, fight for our beliefs. Stand up for people. Right?

I am just going to say: no.

But, how then do we practice this ideal of not using Anger, without becoming a punching bag for society?

Here is a quick list of ways to practise “just for today I will not anger” in the modern world..

1. Recognise that you have the power

One of the greatest internal, spirutal powers you have is CHOICE.

When something provokes your anger, you are not automatically obligated to follow that thought. But, we find this really hard to practise. At least I know I do. And especialy in a culture that values authenticity and being true.. we can almost feel we are not being REAL if we do not react with the emotion that has arisen.

But, what is truly authentic is when we act in accord with our essential nature.

Our essential nature is one of perfect contentment. A naturally cognizant, unconfined.. like the sky.. wakefulness.

Every persons inner essence also manifests as compassion, love and wisdom. So, when we choose not to be pushed around by an immature emotion like anger, and instead choose to respond with wisdom, compassion and love.. we are being truly being authentic.

2. Choosing to respond with Wisdom, Compassion and Love

That is what we said above. And the key word again is CHOOSE.

The more we choose to respond in accord with our essential nature, the easier it becomes.

Every time we choose to respond with wisdom, compassion and love, we re-enforce that behaviour, and it becomes easier and easier.

Choosing wisdom energies like compassion, in fact works to dissolve the immature emotions that push us around and cover our essential nature.

Revealing what was already there.

It is not like you are creating a new personality. Which is what I questioned when I first started training in the reiki ideals. I felt that it that was the case, that was just creating another persona, another coping mechanism, that would eventually be put under strain and crumble.

But, practising to choose wisdom energies to respond to life’s situations is in fact infinitely stable. We may joke about what is stronger.. wisdom energies (like compassion) or immature energies (like anger).. but there is no competation in reality. Anger and other emotions like it (jealousy, pride, etc) are by their nature very unstable. Even when perfected over a lifetime, they can be shaken by a moment of genuine compassion.

3. Self awareness and Knowing the space of choice is helpful

Meditation is a great help to practising the reiki ideals.

Like we have been saying, what is needed to train in “just for today i will not anger” is to be able to choose a different response, when your anger is aroused.

And to be able to do that you need two things:

1. the awareness you have gotten angry
2. the emotional space to choose a different response

Obviously, if you are already 3 punches into the arguement it is a little difficult to choose a loving way of responding. Because you have already reacted.

We need to create the space of choice, lets call it.

Or lets go the whole way.. the space of freedom.

Meditation helps you not react so easily to your emotions. Because what you do when you practise sitting meditation, is to just sit. So, you do not do anything with emotions (good, bad or neutral) in sitting meditation.. you are just sitting.. for your 10 minutes.. you are not dealing with bad emotions or thoughts, or getting all happy with yourself for having a vision of Master Usui.

You are just watching. Just practising mindfullness. And gentle wise watching at that. The traditional instruction is to sit like a wise old person watching children play. Content, playful and knowing.

By creating more space and self aware ness you give yourself the chance to pick up on the fact you are getting annoyed.. and start to change it.

4. Freedom and Choice equal Power and Fearlessness

Creating this space you become more free.. spiritually/emotionally because you are not being dictated to by your emotions.

And freedom like that is what produces fearlessness.. I mean.. think about it. What would there be to fear? And with fearlessness is the authentic power we might have thought at the stat of the post we were having less of than the rest of the world by practising not using anger (in all its forms: assertiveness, competativeness..)