John
as i reread E C and constantly discover more depth, i am trying to further synthesize your incredible work combining psychology and eastern spirituality w/ ancient Jewish moral philosophy. the following is a letter by Nahmanides- The Ramban
Written to his elder son with the instruction to read it weekly. it has an approach to anger that in context of your work, takes on more meaning.As you can see below, his approach is ti start w/ expression . i think that based on your work, anger means being controlled by the lower centers. even th eheart gets pulled in as the rabbis write. by not letting the anger influence expression, this restores th e heart to higher function. thisin turn unites the intellect but with no ego barrier as he explains.
pls comment
thanks for opening up so much wisdom!!!
Hear, my son, the instruction of your father and don't forsake the teaching of your mother (Mishlei 1:
. Get into the habit of always speaking calmly to everyone. This will prevent you from anger, a serious character flaw which causes people to sin. As our Rabbis said in (Koheles 12:10), "Cast out anger from your heart, and [by doing this] remove evil from your flesh."
Once you have distanced yourself from anger, the quality of humility will enter your heart.This radiant quality is the finest of all admirable traits because (Mishlei 22:4), "Following humility comes the fear of Hashem."
Through humility you will also come to fear Hashem. It will cause you to always think about (see Avos 3:1) where you came from and where you are going, and that while alive you are only like a maggot and a worm, and the same after death. It will also remind you before Whom you will be judged, the King of Glory,
When you think about all these things, you will come to fear Hashem who created you, and you will protect yourself from sinning and therefore be happy with whatever happens to you. Also, when you act humbly and modestly before everyone, and are afraid of Hashem and of sin, the radiance of His glory and the spirit of the Shechina will rest upon you, and you will live the life of the World-to-Come!
Therefore, I will now explain to you how to always behave humbly. Speak gently at all times, with your head bowed, your eyes looking down to the ground and your heart focusing on Hashem. Don't look at the face of the person to whom you are speaking. Consider everyone as greater than yourself. If he is wise or rich, you should give him respect. If he is poor and you are richer -- or wiser -- than he, consider yourself to be more guilty than he, and that he is more worthy than you, since when he sins it is through error, while yours is deliberate and you should know better!
In all your actions, words and thoughts, always regard yourself as standing before Hashem, with His Shechinah above you, for His glory fills the whole world. Speak with fear and awe, as a slave standing before his master. Act with restraint in front of everyone. When someone calls you, don't answer loudly, but gently and softly, as one who stands before his master.
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