“If you are willing to look at another person’s behavior toward you as a reflection of the state of their relationship with themselves rather than a statement about your value as a person, then you will, over a period of time cease to react at all.” — Yogi Bhajan

If I’m totally honest, it’s not so much another’s behavior that bothers me as it is my reaction to it. When a stranger on the street acts angry, or crazy, I generally don’t react. But when I ingest the behavior of someone close to me – take it deep into my mind, body and soul – I have no choice but to react, defend and attack. My serenity evaporates and discord fills me up. One way to avoid this is to reframe the experience as its unfolding. When someone is saying or doing something I don’t like I can simply think “Wow, I’m glad I’m not in their emotional state of mind.” This opens the door for compassion and detachment, possible saving me from reacting or losing my serenity. I love the little gems I pick up in the program and ILML! 

— Jamie Q