Lessons on the Internet

Today, I gleamed another new trait that a martial practitioner might find useful. It is avoidance when you encounter indignation via viral flame postings in the news, on television and on blog posts. The current viral thing is causing a lot of postings and that inflames others and more postings, etc.

We are feeding the monkey and the monkey is driving the bus. So, lets practice our ability at avoidance by first addressing the emotions this all triggers in all humans instinctively. Now, let it pass as all emotions do - emotions are transitory.

Now, lets address the substantive aspects of this viral flame war.

Is it kind? No, not one bit. It is an injustice to all parties. Let the proper authorities do what they do best and wait for the end of the story.

Is it true? No, almost all the information we encounter is slanted to gain the most readers and thus the most money. Let the proper authorities do what they do best and wait for the end of the story.

Is it necessary? No, this viral gossip traffic simply inflames the monkey chatter and that promotes the flame wars, etc. What is this but "CONFLICT." Conflict that accomplishes nothing.

So, now that the emotions are flittering away into the far reaches of oblivion and the facts that remain are No! No! and No! Remove yourself from the conflict, remove yourself from the environment and wait, be patient, and see how the story ends. It is going to end that way anyway so relax, take a deep breath and avoid it all.

This is a lesson that comes from martial practice and can enhance and train your mind to avoid, deescalate, and display good manners. Isn't this the "way" in both martial and living life?

Here is a technique I am trying to use to avoid, deescalate, etc. Open your notepad on your computer. Go ahead and express all the indignation you want on the note pad.  Use all the words euphemisms, etc. you want, really let it all out and don't worry about spelling, etc.

Now, go back and read it. Read it again. Now ask the three questions, i.e. "Is it kind?," "Is it true?," and "Is it necessary?" Be honest and then after ward hit the delete button. By that time your emotionally driven monkey brain will have gone through all the emotions and you can delete it without having to add your tirade to the flames of the Internet communications. Now, didn't that feel good and you did no harm to anyone and you actually diverted the ill effects of indignation and emotions from their un-healty effects on your mind and body. Ain't that cool. I used this one today after a slip up :-)