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Question about anger
A little background before I ask my question:
-I'm new to this site (HI!!)
-I'm new to buddhism (I'm not a buddhist but currently looking for a place/group to practice and study)
For a little context, I live in Holmes county Ohio. It's two different worlds here, the amish and the rest of Holmes county. There are clashes from time to time, old ways of living and somewhat modern ways of living. Horses and cars share the same roads. I've lived here for two years and the amish make me upset. I've recieved obscene hand gestures, pointing and laughing, I've had rocks thrown at me, and I've been made fun of to my face in their language (a form of Dutch). I know I can't change them, I'm not looking to. But I can change how I react, so how does/would a buddhist overcome the anger that rises from these incidents? I used to internalize it but I know that's not healthy. I sometimes talk to my wife about it but I no longer want to burden her with it. Any help is appreciated.
-Dave
-I'm new to this site (HI!!)
-I'm new to buddhism (I'm not a buddhist but currently looking for a place/group to practice and study)
For a little context, I live in Holmes county Ohio. It's two different worlds here, the amish and the rest of Holmes county. There are clashes from time to time, old ways of living and somewhat modern ways of living. Horses and cars share the same roads. I've lived here for two years and the amish make me upset. I've recieved obscene hand gestures, pointing and laughing, I've had rocks thrown at me, and I've been made fun of to my face in their language (a form of Dutch). I know I can't change them, I'm not looking to. But I can change how I react, so how does/would a buddhist overcome the anger that rises from these incidents? I used to internalize it but I know that's not healthy. I sometimes talk to my wife about it but I no longer want to burden her with it. Any help is appreciated.
-Dave
0
Comments
A. Moving away, if that is possible.
B. Tolerance, and staying away. I hopeyou are not engaging them into debates.
Clearly, if they are becoming dangerous then seek the help of local authorities.
If you don't have a temple you can always go online and find the material you want. Thereare good people here that won't Mind sharing that information.
As far as finding the off switch on the anger...with practice it will get easier...and you won't give a fig about standing in line infront of foul mouthed Amish. You will simply smile and nod.
When people can no longer push your reactive buttons, even when they try, because you have attained inner peace and insight on your true self...well, that's real power.
Take that, Clark kent
here is a video relating to anger that you will find very interesting (and entertaining enlightening liberating etc...)
and you honestly believe that horses and cars can "share" a roadway?
Horses and cars cannot "share" a roadway. In the interest of safety, cars must give way to horses, patiently wait behind them, and stay a respectful distance away from them so as not to spook them.
Are these obscene hand gestures, pointing, laughing, and rock throwing incidents associated with your approaching or passing horses/carriages with your car?
I would not be at all surprised if they were, as spooking a horse with a car can very easily cause someone's death or permanent disability,
and horses, even well-trained horses, can be easily spooked by cars and kill the people around them as a result.
The Buddhist response is to be mindful and respectful of such concerns.
These people who cause you to be angry, they are operating under a blanket of ignorance, it is important to begin to notice this within people, as the Dalai Lama stated 'normal people'.
If it wasn’t the Amish making you angry it would just be something else - if anger plagues you then it will find a way to express itself whatever the situation - today, while I was driving, a large lorry misjudged a corner and lodged itself in front of everyone - it took about 30 minutes for it to get moving during which time people were leaving their cars and arguing, F'ing and such... 'Can you believe it - I have to be somewhere - hurry up' etc etc...
I just stayed in my car and carried on listening to music while the heater turned the chilly winter sun into a warm spring day - we all moved on eventually… as you do… and I didn’t burst my spleen… result!
Joint a group – find a teacher - start your journey with a sound foundation - in time and with practice you will see anger for what it is...
As far as the hoodlum Amish I would just try to avoid coming under their influence. Most of this behaviour gets worse in groups. Avoid bad people. Don't sink to their level not in a snobby way just a vigilant way.
The cosmos sent you to a land with slow horses blocking roadways and people swearing at you.
You have been there for 2 years.
They have been there for 10 generations.
The cosmos has given you THIS place to practice and study Buddhism,
right here, right now, to practice patience, mindfulness, and respect for other sentient beings...
even those slowing you down and blocking your chosen path and swearing at you,
and even 4 footed sentient beings.
That is Buddhism.
They seem very passive.
They make grand furniture and wonderful pastries!
I agree that it might be best to avoid any hostile ones, and yes....watch for the horses.
Many children are thrown from buggies.
You could show them how cool your iphone is and then leave them all jealous. J/K.
It's a weird situation. Someone throwing rocks at you from a horse buggy? And obscene hand gestures? Sounds like a scene from a dude road trip type movie. I don't have any good advice to give except minimize your contact with them. From a distance it looks weird and silly, no offense.
Dude, where 's my buggy.