A man walking on a path to the temple

2 minutes read

Anger is not a driving force

Anger is not a driving force

Last week I shared my thoughts on why we should choose love over anger.

Today I wanted to share with you what happens when we choose anger instead.

When we allow awareness to repeatedly go to the angry area of the mind we strengthen this area of the mind. Many of you have heard me repeat my guru’s quote “where awareness goes, energy flows” many times. When we allow our awareness to keep going to a particular area of the mind we allow energy to flow there repeatedly. The more energy flows to that area of the mind the more energy is deposited there. That particular area then becomes stronger or more magnetic as it is filled with energy. The more magnetic it becomes the more it has the ability to pull your awareness there which means it will be very easy for you to get angry.

Here’s an example.

Take an athlete who uses anger as motivation to perform better on the field. A lot of athletes do this and a lot of athletes are told to get angry or feel angry by their coaches as a form of motivation. Because of this they develop a strong angry area of the mind.

Now, during a game, if an opposition player says something to them on the field, it’s very easy for their awareness to go to the angry area of the mind because it is so magnetic. As a result, they get upset by what was said to them and they lash out. The referee notices this and sends the player that lashes out off the field. All because he could not control his reaction and responded in anger. An anger he had been cultivating for years as part of trying to be driven on the field.

Athletes that you use anger as a motivation are misguided in being told to do so.

You want to cultivate willpower to drive you. You want to cultivate a love for the game to drive you. A desire for success. A desire to be the best or for mastery to drive you. Never anger.

The same applies in every other aspect of life. Don’t use anger as a driving force. If you do you will only cultivate a force that will be detrimental to you as opposed to serving you.

More Articles

  • Choose love over anger. Always.
    Jun 24, 2020 Insights on Life

    Choose love over anger. Always.

    Emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and more are quite common these days. It’s ok and natural to experience them but we can choose if we want to live with these emotions or not. Making the choice if we want to remain in these areas of the mind for an extended period of time is

    Learn More
  • Don’t “Just be”
    Jun 17, 2020 Insights on Life

    Don’t “Just be”

    So much of today’s mindfulness and yoga teachings teach about simply being and not striving. “Just be” is the proclamation. And striving is often looked at as a negative thing. When you just be you remain where you are. And essentially don’t make progress. Striving is good. Str

    Learn More
  • Treat Everyone the Same
    Jun 10, 2020 Conversations on the Spiritual Path

    Treat Everyone the Same

    As residents of this planet we have so much to learn about treating everyone the same. In the Hindu faith, one of the dominant fundamental teachings is seeing God in all as its philosophy states that God is in all things. Sadly, racism like God is all-pervasive. And ignorance, l

    Learn More
  • The Power of Thought
    Jun 2, 2020 Insights on Life

    The Power of Thought

    Everything begins in the mental plane first before it manifests in the physical plane. You think to yourself first, “I would like some ice cream,” then you get up and get yourself some ice cream. But it began in your mind with a thought. Each thought has a picture, sound, and co

    Learn More
  • Too busy or misguided priorities?
    May 29, 2020 Insights on Life

    Too busy or misguided priorities?

    Someone once asked me, “What if we don’t have time to spend in reflection in the morning?” My response was, “Everybody has time. The question is what are you willing to make time for?” At the end of the day, it comes down to priorities. What’s important in your life? I’m sure

    Learn More
  • The Spirit of Responsiveness
    May 20, 2020 Conversations on the Spiritual Path

    The Spirit of Responsiveness

    The spirit of responsiveness is the spirit of seeing what needs to be done and doing it without having to be told to do so. “We are down to the last square so I will replace the toilet paper with a new roll so the next person does not have to do it”. “The trash is full so I will

    Learn More

FREE Weekly Wisdom!

Get my free weekly emails and receive insights, teachings, & spiritual tools to live with purpose and joy.

* By subscribing you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Hindu mandala with intricate patterns and symbolic icons

Live a life of purpose & joy with the

Happier Life Program

Learn More