Transcendence Helps Conquer Anger

Mar 17, 2004, 12.00am IST
Nilanshu Ranjan.

What do we generally do when we want to get something done, or want to expel something unnecessary, unnatural or repugnant? We take a vow and feel immensely satisfied in the bargain. But we forget that taking a vow is quite an unintelligent act.



When we vow not to do something, it simply means we have not understood certain underlying truths, or are unaware of the workings of our unconscious. It is an act of suppression that can turn into a strange and poisonous repression as well. When we repress something, it seeps into our unconsciousness and disturbs our equilibrium, leaving us in misery. That’s why Buddha lays stress on consciousness. 'Be conscious' — this is the sole sutra given by Buddha.

Pythagoras speaks the same language. His every statement must be clearly understood. He urges us not to be angry. When he forbids anger, he does not mean repression. He says, "Don't be angry. It mars your happiness, ecstasy. It leads to nothing but to utter miseries." He asks us to transcend anger, not to suppress it, whereas we do quite the opposite. Transcendence can be achieved by watching anger.

Acharya Rajneesh says, "If you repress anger, the anger goes into your unconscious; you become more and more poisoned. It is not good, it is not healthy; it is going to drive you neurotic sooner or later. And one day or the other, the accumulated anger will explode and that will be far more dangerous because then it will be absolutely uncontrollable. You will not be able even to be conscious of what you are doing." Transcendence is a totally different process. It is an art — an art of living. Transcendence is the highest stage of silence where supreme realisation is possible.