Dear ones, ask yourself:

• Are you angry?
• Are you sad?
• Are you having a feeling of helplessness?
• What can we do about it?

We live in a society where an outburst of anger is commonplace and it is acceptable. Minor irritants bring about an immediate angry response.

So many things provoke us. Traffic, not finding the fruit or bread in the store, being late for work and the list goes on.

Now the question is why do we get provoked. Does it give us a rush and we feel ready to confront the angry ant?

Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offence. – Proverbs 19:11

A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

What happens when we are sad? What can we do?

Experiencing sadness is normal and once we can become aware of the presence of Divinity and of the Divinity within us, we can understand our sadness.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. – Psalm 34:17

The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

Are you having a feeling of helplessness? How can we overcome this sense of helplessness?

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverb 29:25

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. – Isaiah 40:29-31

I have taken proverbs from the Bible to explain feelings of anger, sadness and helplessness. Whatever our feelings are, once we can neutralize them, we become aware of the Divine presence encompassing us.

How do we work on our thoughts, feelings and responses?

We start in the easiest way. We become aware of our breath. We count backwards our breath and start with either 11 or 27. The counting is 11 I am inhaling; 11 I am exhaling. You are now just focused on your breath. The counting can be increased.

Next step is you now count 5, when inhaling, 5 retaining breath, 5 exhaling, and holding the breath outside till 5. Again, you start with 11 and increase the numbers.

This is called the Samvrit Pranayama, the balancing pranayama. This pranayama enables you to quieten your thoughts, and reactions. It activates the parasympathetic system.

Each one of the proverbs will help you to understand yourself and your responses. It is also about daily practice and this is called Sadhana which will empower you to connect with the Divinity.

Remember that once our mind is quiet, we are able to become free from anger, sadness and helplessness.

Aim Hrim Klim