Dear Miss Iris: I get easily angry at people and things (especially computers and cars). I seem to have very little patience when things just don't go my way. These days road rage is all so common, and people in general "cuss" loudly in public, so it seems to be really socially acceptable for me to do so, too. Yet, one morning I realized how I had picked up the habits of those who were once considered to be the lowest strata of society (culturally speaking) and I was all of sudden disgusted at finding myself in that spot. In any case, I do not think anger is healthy and "cussing" really won't create "an outlet" for my anger but rather leads to an even greater level of frustration. What can I do to stop "cussing"? -- Amanda, Portland, Oregon.
Dear Miss Amanda: I have the same problem. As I work with a lot of people whose subcultures tolerate (or even encourage) frequent cussing and obscenities, I sometimes find myself unknowingly acculturating myself into this atmosphere in which open expressions of anger through obscene and explosive speeches are "the norm." While I am no expert in human psychology, I would like to relay what I learned from a Benedictine spiritual practice: whenever you feel like saying "f---" or "s---" say in your mind, something like, "O God, come to my help; Holy One, hasten to help me." Repeat this conscientiously for a few days and see if that would help. (It can be also a chant or a small prayer, such as Ave Maria, Memorare, Agnus Dei, Trisagion, or the Mary chant [or this one]. Or, if you are a Buddhist, you may want to try a nembutsu/nianho "Namo Amitabha" or a daimoku "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.")
-- Miss Iris.
Friday, April 25, 2008
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A lot of people very much dislike cussing - and very rightly so, but very few people seem to understand that is more than just an unpleasant habit. A dear friend of mine wrote he following recently, and while she quotes extensively from a Filianic Scripture, I think it will be evident that the principle she enunciates is universal:
Quote:
Thoughts of the mind pass not away, nor vanish into air.
2. For every thought is a builder in the subtle world that lies about you.
3. Thoughts of beauty and of things of the Spirit refine and purify the soul, making her fair to look upon and graceful in her movements,
4. Uniting her with the universal music of eternity and gathering about her the servants of the Janyati.
5. But harsh thoughts harden the soul; coarse thoughts coarsen the soul; thoughts bound only to the things of clay burden the soul with heavy chains.
6. My children, I speak not in pictures, for truly these things are; and to be seen by all whose eyes may pierce the veil of illusion.
7. What maiden, receiving of her mother a fine and well-made house of well-wrought oak and stone and furnished by the skilful hand of love, will break the walls and furnishings, pour filthy waters into every place and bring swine to dwell in the most splendid chambers?
8. Will she not rather bring new things of beauty and precious works of love to add to those that lie already there?
9. Will she not keep away all dirt and defilement and protect it from all harm?
11. Knows she not that the thoughts of her mind pass not away, nor vanish into air?
12. Knows she not that every thought of greed, of hate, of lust, of anger is a scar upon her subtle body?
13. Sees she not that she surrounds herself with hateful things that are the forms of her thoughts?
14. Sees she not that evil demons harbour in these forms even as rats infest a dunghill?
15. And does she not know that when her mortal body is passed into the earth she will have no place wherein to dwell save in that subtle body her thoughts have so misshaped, and among the forms of her creation?
16. Let the soul rather fill her dwelling with the warmth of love and generosity, with the sweet, cool air of purity, with the flowers of simplicity, humility and gentleness.
17. Let her garden flow with the fountains of virtue and lie open to the sunlight of our Mother's love.
That is in the Filianic sutra "Thoughts of the Mind". If you say words that invoke ordure and filth - you are invoking those things. You are inviting them into your subtle surroundings. You are choosing to live in a psychic sewer.
So don't let anyone tell you "swearing is OK". That is what late patriarchal Telluria wants you to think. Your mouth that praises Dea, your hand that offers Her flowers, should not be forming dirty words and thoughts.
Profane people think that "words are nothing" and it does not matter what you say.
But words are not nothing. They are everything:
Quote:
20. Forget not the power of words, for a word has all the power of a thought and a thought has power to move the earth and the heavens.
21. Therefore speak not evil in idleness, nor fall into the custom of ill speaking; but govern your words even as your actions.
22. Speak words of love and innocence, of mildness and of hope, and you shall weave a raiment of peace about your soul, and a veil of gentle light.
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