Help

by Maci
(Dumas TX, USA)

Hello, I am new to the yoga lifestyle. I was wondering if you could help me find my zen. I am a very stressed-out person with some anger issues.
Any advice you would have for me is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Maci

Yogi Mir's Response:

Dear Maci,

First off, let's look at stress and anger.

Stress happens when the mind resists what is.

Your mind (your everyday functioning self-identity) has expectations, needs, and desires. When they are not met, stress ensues.

Other things that cause stress are your unmet plans and assumptions.

One way to reduce stress is to develop the attitude of "there is a reason for everything and we cannot control our lives as much as we want to."

Think of trees swaying in the wind. Imagine if tree branches had certain specific plans and expectations (namely, to grow taller and toward the sun). Then, wind starts to blow and sways the branches this way and that way.

That wind would cause trees a lot of stress.

But the trees don't think that way. They accept the wind. They don't get disturbed or stressed out.

In the end, the trees end up getting taller anyway.

We are just the same as the trees, except our mind gets in the way and tells us that the wind of life is causing us to stray from our plans. In reality, everything is perfect the way it is.

Now, let's look at anger.

First, ask yourself, who is angry?

Is it your ego? your mind? or your heart?

Your ego is usually the one who gets angry. Because the ego sees things selfishly. It makes you feel separate from others and it creates fear.

Your mind made you decide to write this request to Yogi Mir. It's your rational and logical Self who understands that anger is unnecessary and self-destructive.

Your heart is the compassionate Self who feels Love and connection to all others. We all feel that sometimes.

Next time, when you feel angry, ask yourself, who is angry?

Try to talk to your ego with your mind, and tell the ego that it's unreasonable. Then, try to connect to your heart and see the situation from your heart's perspective.

This should help to separate you from your anger and see it for what it is. And don't forget the trees swaying in the wind.

Love and Light,
~ Yogi Mir