Control your angerSpirituality

We tend to behave like machines when it comes to our reactions. Someone says something insulting and anger flares up within us. There isn't even a moment's gap. Just like when you turn a switch or push a button and the fan starts whirring or a light bulb comes on. Is it possible for us not to react impulsively?

Osho tells a story about how Gurdjieff's life changed by following one simple piece of advice given to him by his father. Gurdjieff's father was dying and he called Gurdjieff, who was nine years old and said to the boy, 'I have nothing much to give you, but only one advice: Remember only one thing — if you feel angry, don't react immediately, wait for 24 hours. If somebody insults you, tell him, "I will come back after 24 hours. Please give me a little time to think over it."

The young Gurdjieff did not fully understand the portent and meaning of his father's advice but he followed it. Over a period of time Gurdjieff became aware of the tremendous impact of this advice on his life. He was completely transformed and followed two guiding principles — one, he was aware not to move into anger when somebody insulted him, and two, he did not allow himself to be manipulated by the other person. He would simply wait for 24 hours when somebody insulted him before reacting.

As he became more capable at this technique, he realised that he never needed to control his reactions after 24 hours had passed! It was impossible to be angry after that time had elapsed. Even after 24 seconds you cannot be angry. Either it is instantaneous or it is not. Anger functions only on a subconscious level and only if you are not aware. When you are so conscious that you can delay it even for 24 seconds, it evaporates. Then you cannot be angry, the moment has passed. Even 24 seconds will do. A gap is needed between action and reaction. The more conscious you are the more you will be able to create this gap.