The Purpose Of Yoga - Anger Management Secrets Of Silence

By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.


With the exception of mantra or japa practice, most forms of Yoga meditation require a bit of silence. Silence is a "teacher," which quiets the mind and helps us focus during meditation sessions.

Yet, how can you maintain control "in the heat of the moment?" The ancient samurai warriors, of Japan, practiced meditation before and after being "battle tested." We do not have to test our meditation skills in this way, but many of us are tested every day by self-control.

Yoga teaches us control, moderation, and timing. There is a time to speak up and a time to be silent. If we are screaming our thoughts out at the top of our lungs, we have not given any consideration to control, moderation, and timing. Shouting may seem necessary, but it tends to escalate conflicts.

This does not mean that you should be silent at all times, or that you should become a door mat. Knowing when, and how to, express your viewpoint, is a vital part of life.

An example of this is when we speak from the ego to protect our own interests. Even when our tone is measured and moderate, self-centered talk does not resolve conflicts. If your objective is to win the argument and prove your point, you will never listen or be silent at the right time.

The ability to listen emphatically to an opposing opinion first, and understand the other side of the issue, does resolve potential arguments before they start. Diplomatic negotiations operate the same way. In fact, if you look at the world today, constructive peace talks make progress - albeit slowly.

In Yoga practice, you are taught to listen and observe. Within a Yoga class, self-observation is addressed frequently. Pranayama and meditation require that you first, listen to the world from within - then you can better understand the world outside your body. To observe the world, you must listen carefully.

When meeting others, one key to remember is that people love to talk about themselves. If you want to diffuse a situation, ask a person to explain his or her viewpoint, and just listen.

When you explain that you will listen, it is upon the condition that the other party does not shout. You will have "air time" to calmly express your views and you will "stick to the issues at hand." For optimum success, old issues should be addressed at a separate time.

Differences can be peacefully resolved if we rationally discuss them by listening, focusing, negotiating, and by avoiding being side tracked by issues of the past. For all of this to happen, silence on your part, is required at the proper time.

Detachment to outcome is a principle of Yoga and is covered in many scriptures. An ego driven person cannot be silent. He or she must always win every debate, conversation, or argument. There is too much of the "in your face" mindset on public display.

Some politicians, and athletes, destroy their own careers - becoming known by their ego driven shouting matches. They make enemies of the press, the public, and their peers. Is this an example we want to give our children? We should resolve conflicts peacefully, as a shining example for our children's sake.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To download a free Yoga e-Book, visit: www.yoga-teacher-training.org