It does not matter how much people preach "don't get angry"; when certain situations arise, you get angry. It does not matter what kind of human being you become; even if you become superhuman, you will never have absolute control over the external world. Whether it is with the company you work for, your family or the world, you will never have total control over external situations.
But you can have total control over your internal situation. Emotional states like anger, hate, lust, compassion or love -- from the lowest states to the highest -- are certain types of expression of the same energy. People often ask, "Can we exist without anger?" This is generally because anger is the most intense emotion people have experienced in their lives. People want intensity, but the only way they know how to be intense is through physical action, anger or pain. The very reason why drugs and sex have become such a big thing in the world is, somehow, people want to experience some intensity, at least for a few moments -- it is the intensity that draws them. I am always talking about intensity because intensity is the only thing man is seeking, and it is the only thing that will liberate man from his present bondages.
But unfortunately, for most people, their fear, anger and hatred are the most intense situations in their lives. Their love is never so intense. Their peace is never so intense. Their joy is never so intense. Instead, their negativities are intense, so they experience power in negative circumstances.
Anger is enormous intensity; it is an intensity that hurts you. It is an intensity that can get you into a lot of trouble. It is an intensity that can destroy people around you and yourself in so many ways. But if you transform your energy in a certain way, it naturally becomes love and compassion. Then, slowly, as the process goes further, you reach the pinnacle of self-awareness and experience a unity with all life. The whole process of yoga is based on this.
For many people, "yoga" just means twisting yourself into some impossible postures. But that is not what we are referring to as yoga. "Yoga" means to be in perfect tune, when your body, mind, spirit and the existence are in absolute harmony. When you fine-tune yourself to such a point where everything functions so beautifully within you, the best of your abilities will naturally flow out of you. So yoga is the science of activating your inner energies in such a way that your body, mind and emotions function at their highest peak.
Suppose you start experiencing everyone around you as part of yourself. After that, no one needs to teach you to be good, not to harm others. And once you are experientially a part of everything, then nobody needs to teach you morality. Then you can do something about any given situation that may be unpleasant, but without anger. What you have to do, you do; but when you do it with anger and hatred, it is of no value. A day can come when, even if you are put into the most extreme situation, your energies will remain very calm. When you act out of unity with all life, you act without identity. Only then can you function out of your intelligence.
Yoga means to cultivate your energy in such a way that gradually it breaks the physical limitations and elevates you to the highest level of awareness, the flowering of human potential.
Sadhguru's next live webstream event will be "Life at Full Throttle," a Q&A with championship racer Chris Rado on Jan 30. For more information, please visit http://myconversationswiththemystic.com/chrisrado/.
Isha Yoga programs are based on tested, scientific principles. They offer tools for optimal health, emotional well-being and professional excellence. To participate in Sadhguru's upcoming Leadership Retreat in Los Angeles, visit www.ishaiei.com.
For over 25 years, Isha Yoga programs have touched and transformed the lives of millions of people around the world. To learn more, please visit Sadhguru's Huffington Post bio page.
Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.: P.L.A.Y.N.O.W.: How to Bring Mindfulness into Your Life
Gordy Grundy: Laughter Yoga: Cure for the Apocalypse
And that is the greatest takeaway here.. that there is a way .. through natural methods... to be in harmony that obviates the very need to "run away". Things happen within you the way the Universe is.