It began as a pleasant evening drive. We’re cruising up the interstate in the right lane, and another car comes quickly up the left lane…and then slows to hover just behind my car in my blind spot.
I hate this!
I’ve studied and practiced forgiveness for years, so most things don’t upset me. This, however, gets me every time.
So, what do I do when I feel this irrational head-heating, stomach-tensing zing that leaves me sputtering “arrg” and “grff?”
Tara Branch (True Refuge) offers a helpful approach for dealing with difficult situations – RAIN.
R = Recognize your physical and emotional responses to the situation
A = Allow the situation to be as it is, without judging
I = Investigate your responses further with kind attention
N = Non-identification of self with your emotions and the resulting Natural Awareness
By taking a moment to recognize my responses, I give myself a pause. This space lets the sensations cool enough that I can let the situation be…anger- and sputter-free.
I also found that, once away from the situation, I can take a deeper look at my responses, investigating why this minor traffic thing qualifies as a “difficult situation” for me.
I’m still working on that one…probably will for a while. It’s always a work in progress.
Quote
Your sense of who you are is not fused with or defined by any limited set of emotions, sensations or stories. Tara Branch
Web
Tara Branch describes how to work with difficulties in her article on the blessing of RAIN (read article).
I’ve studied and practiced forgiveness for years, so most things don’t upset me. This, however, gets me every time.
So, what do I do when I feel this irrational head-heating, stomach-tensing zing that leaves me sputtering “arrg” and “grff?”
Tara Branch (True Refuge) offers a helpful approach for dealing with difficult situations – RAIN.
R = Recognize your physical and emotional responses to the situation
A = Allow the situation to be as it is, without judging
I = Investigate your responses further with kind attention
N = Non-identification of self with your emotions and the resulting Natural Awareness
By taking a moment to recognize my responses, I give myself a pause. This space lets the sensations cool enough that I can let the situation be…anger- and sputter-free.
I also found that, once away from the situation, I can take a deeper look at my responses, investigating why this minor traffic thing qualifies as a “difficult situation” for me.
I’m still working on that one…probably will for a while. It’s always a work in progress.
Quote
Your sense of who you are is not fused with or defined by any limited set of emotions, sensations or stories. Tara Branch
Web
Tara Branch describes how to work with difficulties in her article on the blessing of RAIN (read article).
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