Each day, every one of us experiences no less than hundreds of times some kind of irritation but we are usually not aware of it. And this sort of mood grants some sort of energy in life.
Showing off, being stiff, being aggressive or defensive, making people upset or annoyed, stubbornness, all of these moods come from irritation.
Acting as a result of irritation does not help to solve any problem and may even create new ones. In personal interactions, this is the main cause that leads to the difficulties of getting along with people. In fact, people feel irritated because they exaggerate their feeling of self-pity.
And most people lead their whole lives motivated by this energy.
If we do not recognise how this problem occurs, we may get inexplicably nervous and uncomfortable. In fact, each of our habits can be dissected into four consecutive stages:
The object (or situation), the thought (the mind), the action (or behaviour) and the result.
For example, imagine you see a flower (object), you like it so you want to pick it up (thought), you pick the flower (action) and the flower is not standing on her stem anymore but is in our hand (result).
But when two people are quarrelling, we only see the result (the quarrel) and we miss out the three first stages and this is why we do not realise that we are tricked by the thought of being irritated because someone has done something.
When we get to know the four steps, we are able to slow down and observe the different steps leading to a result. It gives time and space to notice. It is like witnessing a bullet in slow motion:
First being triggered, second coming out of the gun, third darting through the air, fourth reaching the target. The sages would see each moment in details and with clarity. Ordinary people are not able to analyse things in such details and all they see is that someone got shot.
However, if we were clearly able to see the three steps prior to the result, we would be able to adjust our behaviours precisely during each relevant space allowing the three different stages which would become our convenient tools to change the environment, our thoughts and actions.
In the end, the result would turn out to be what we wished for. Let us solve these irritating feelings by practising this method: First recognise the situation, being conscious that we are, again, trapped into the habit of being irritated. Secondly, be mindful and aware of our thoughts. And third, do not rush to make a decision. If we have unfortunately committed some wrongdoings in words or actions, neither blame yourself nor be arrogant.
Do not actualise this solidified state of irritation. And finally, acknowledge that what has been said or done by you or someone else should not be taken seriously. Thus, forgiving yourself and the others. Among the three steps, the mind is the key point.
It is important to observe that irritation is a mere concept which as no real consistency, and therefore we can implement our intentions with a more proactive drive and choose to replace it with blessings and positive thoughts. In doing so, this feeling of discontent will gradually fade away and will no longer have influence on our actions.
? The Light of Life team is from China. They invariably follow the instruction and methods of the ancient Chinese sages and enlightened ones so as to try to solve all kinds of problems and worries in life.
