Yogi: My negative emotions have been growing stronger and stronger over the past few weeks, especially anger. Sometimes the anger is so strong I want to scream and pull my hair and I end up crying.
My teachers always say to be open and to accept it but every time I notice this anger I cannot accept – I’ll run away and suppress it.
Sayadaw: First, you need to think that anger is not yours, anger is anger, and everybody can experience anger. Put in this right view before watching anger.
You do not try to accept; you try to think the right way that anger is nature. And try to be aware of the feeling – the burning sensation – and not follow the storyline. Keep coming back to watching the feeling every time the mind follows the storyline.
Don’t try to accept; it is not necessary to accept. You only need to think that anger is nature. We’re not trying to make the anger go away; we’re trying to know and understand the nature of anger.
Can you do this?