Dealing With Anger

My main work is with addictions and it really bothers me at times to witness the extent to which addictions make life difficult for so many.  The other day, I realized that I was feeling anger about small inconveniences that, normally, don’t bother me.  At one point I even slammed a book down on a table (ten times!), hurting my hand.  I took note of the anger and meditated about its source, knowing it wasn’t the inconveniences.  The source was that I have several clients, friends and acquaintances who are having a rough time with addictions of various types right now, which causes a very human part of me to feel sad and concerned.  I began talking about the anger and allowing it to dissipate.

Unconditional Love

It is my impression that Mary Magdalen understood the unconditional nature of the love Jesus spoke of, while others did not.  It seems that her past made no difference to Jesus and that, as a result, her devotion was absolute.  That, to me, is the definition of unconditional love.  I feel the same level of acceptance and devotion in response to what I understand as God.  From God, I sense no judgments or requirements, just compassion, inclusion and love.  In response, I will do whatever is asked of me, usually without hesitation.

Daily Approach

I make a considerable effort each day to harmonize my actions with the universe or God.  I begin each day with a period of prayer and meditation, during which I ask for support and guidance in approaching the coming day and make it clear that I will need help during the day.  I then listen for any sort of guidance.  During the day I strive to insure that all of my actions are motivated by love and that they will increase the integrity of the universe.  My approach required some practice and I don’t achieve %100, but the impact on myself and on those I contact is quite remarkable and gratifying.

Divine Intervention

Several years ago, I almost died.  It was a dark and difficult time for me, but also a time that I could feel, quite distinctly the support and guidance of “other worldly” forces that I identify with God.  I would not have survived without that support.  I should also point out that I relied, very heavily, on the worldly assistance of my wife, and would also, clearly, not have succeeded without her.  Partially as a result of that time, I am very much aware of the power of God in my life.  Each day, I notice things that happen in my life, things that, logically, should not happen, which I attribute to divine intervention.  I suspect that many other people have been “offered” the same opportunity.  The difference in my case is that I took the opportunity.

A Loving God

Due largely to my “being with” God during periods of prayer and meditation, it is clear to me that it is not necessary to use any specific name when referring to God, I don’t, and it is clear that force/power does not care.  It also seems clear to me that God is not “hurt” or “angry” due to any actions or inaction of humans, like the many negative things that I have done in my past.  My sense and  experience is that these beliefs are personifications and God is not a person with a fragile ego, the beliefs simply do not apply.  I have encountered God as an overwhelming source of love and I find no need to define or describe beyond that.  If I choose to align myself with that loving power/force, which I do, it changes my life.  I will do whatever that power/force directs me to and that choice makes a difference.

Bubble Of Love

Because of my connection with God, or whatever you wish to call that power/force, I live within a “bubble of love” and my actions reflect that love.  On the other hand, I used to walk around in fear all the time.  Fear that the various events in my life would not turn out in specific ways or that other people would not think of me the way I wanted them to.  The fear was always there, a most unpleasant way to live.  I now, practice prayer and meditation every morning and carry the sense of love and well being with me during the day, a much more pleasant way to live life!

Loving Action

My experience is that actions motivated by love are honest and always increase the integrity of the universe.  By “love”, I mean an intense desire and willingness to devote oneself to someone else’s emotional and spiritual growth, with little or no thought to the personal cost of the action.  To me, actions motivated by love “feel right”, meaning they have the feeling of a clear mountain stream as opposed to the feelings around self-motivated or self-centered actions, which are more like the feeling of a turbid lake.  This includes actions that cause some short-term discomfort in the recipient and long-term growth, saying or doing difficult things, like speaking the truth to a child.