The Bright Wisdom of Tao: Managing Our Emotions

1
The Bright Wisdom of Tao Managing Our Emotions

• Lily C. Hsu
• English Tao Class
• Kuang Ming Saint Tao Temple
• May 7, 2011

2
Synopsis

• Have you ever wondered why one person may react
  so differently from another person to the same
  event? For example, some of us might be
  resentful and angry if a colleague got promoted
  by taking credit for our months of hard work,
  while others can calmly go about their work as if
  nothing ever happened. And why is it that some
  of us have the integrity to do the right thing
  all the time, while others have moments of
  weakness? The answer lies in our karma.
• In this lecture, well briefly discuss what is
  karma, how it shapes who we are and what we do,
  and finally, how we can remove the previous
  negative karma to help us manage our emotions and
  to reclaim our inherent bright wisdom.

3
What are Emotions?

• Emotions reactions to particular stimuli, such
  as a particular person or event

4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
Robert Plutchik
8
3 Stages of Emotions

• Subjective Feelings

Internal feelings
Physiological Responses
Physical responses to emotions
Expressive Behaviors
Outward manifestations of our emotions,
including facial expressions, tone of voice,
and body languages
9
What is Karma?

• In Tao tradition, we believe that our
  actions, both the good and the bad, from our past
  lives and present, shape who we are today (e.g.
  our mental, moral intellectual and temperamental
  differences).

Karma is also known as cause and effect or
action and reaction.
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
What is Karma?

• Misconception that just because we are born
  with karmas from our previous lives, everything
  in the present life is predetermined and there is
  nothing that we can do to change it.

On the contrary, our future is still within our
hands. How so? Because the word karma means
action. And doesnt action implies that an act
will be done? Because we are the action doers, it
logically follows that it is within our hands or
our choice whether or not we do those actions.
13
Karma Wheel
14
The key to happiness is to not to tie too many
knots. Be happy and learn from Maitreya Buddha
(Mi-Le Buddha). Holy Teacher
15
What are some knots?

Worries

• Anxiety

Inferiority
Discontentment
Pressure
Anger
Bitterness
Guilt / shame
Jealousy
Regrets
16

• Endless Knot
• Symbolizes the endless cycle of birth, death,
  and rebirth
• Resembles the interplay and interaction of the
• opposing forces
• Symbolizes the infinite wisdom of Buddha

17
Maitreya Buddha (Mi-Le)
18
A happy person is a person who does not possess
a lot, but rather is one who haggles less. That
means you have to open your heart to accommodate
everything. Holy Teacher
19

• Our destinies are written on our faces. To
  have a smiling face all the time will change you
  for the better.
• Holy Teacher

20
Maitreya Buddha (Mi-Le)
21

• As long as we face the world with a peaceful
  heart and cheerful disposition, we can always
  adjust ourselves to different circumstances and
  cope with changes to turn big problems into
  smaller issues and resolve them.
• Holy Teacher

22

• When there are sorrows and sadness within, if
  you are not aware of them, cannot understand and
  dissolve them, or make adjustments. You are only
  hurting yourself and damaging your heart.
• Holy Teacher

23

• Holding onto anger is like holding onto a hot
  coal with intent of throwing it at someone. But
  it is you who gets burned.
• Siddhartha Buddha

24

• To store bitterness inside your heart is real
  suffering Happiness and bliss start when you
  let go.
• Holy Teacher

25
Let go of what?

• Past mistakes and failures

Past sufferings and pains
Past shortcomings and sins
26

• Heaven, when it is about to place a great
  responsibility on a man, always first tests his
  resolution, wears out his sinews and bones with
  toil, exposes his body to starvation, subjects
  him to extreme poverty, frustrates his efforts so
  as to stimulate his mind, strengthen his nature
  and make good his deficiencies.
• Mencius

27
Nick Vujicic Melbourne, Australia
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30

• When you are angry, it is very easy to pour
  all your anger onto others and inflict damage to
  both sides. Therefore, take a deep breath before
  you get angry.
• Holy Teacher

31

• Thwart our anger by holding our temper.

How do we hold our temper? By doing the
hold-in and breathe-out exercise and letting
out the damaging angers and grudges with
breathings.
Another way is to shout out all your
frustrations, shortcomings, and negative
emotions. Holy Teacher
32
(No Transcript)
33
I love living life. I am happy. Nick Vujicic

34
Conclusion

• Our emotions are the driving force behind our
  actions

Learn to have an attitude of gratitude
Learn how to live to give
Then you will truly be fulfilled and happy.
35
Questions for Discussion

1. Is tolerance forcing ourselves to endure? How
   can tolerance lead to happiness?
2. Letting go is easier said than done. What are
   some ways that can help?