Nobody wakes up in the morning thinking, “today I’m going to ruin someone’s day.” So what actually happens?
In Episode 46 of Vibe with Venerables, Venerable Thubten Monlam (@sravastiabbey) closes out our Higher Training on Ethical Conduct by looking at one of the disturbing emotions that can drive harmful actions: anger. Not the abstract of it. The petty, still-replaying-it-at-3am version of it. She’s refreshingly honest about still getting angry, and having to work with it.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How disturbing emotions can lead to unethical and harmful actions
- The “camera test” and what it reveals about our judgments and perceptions
- Why fortitude is considered an antidote to anger
- How separating a person from their actions can create space for compassion
- Whether anger has a legitimate use when responding to injustice
- The difference between skillful restraint and giving someone the cold shoulder.
Plus: an email that started a small war inside her own head, and a runaway stroller story where saying absolutely nothing saved the whole afternoon. Also what does the Siberian North Railroad have to do with all of this?
Additional Resources
- Book: Following in the Buddha’s Footsteps by the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron – referenced as the source for the description of the Three Higher Trainings as essential elements of the path to liberation and full awakening.
- Book: Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng – contains the SBNRR (Stop, Breathe, Notice, Reflect, Respond, also known as Siberian North Railroad) framework for managing anger, described during the session as a practical system for applying the antidotes discussed.
- Framework: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg – mentioned as a practical tool used at Sravasti Abbey for skillful interpersonal communication, involving observation, feeling, needs, and requests.
Donation
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