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Writer's pictureLama Jigme Gyatso

Releasing Destructive Impulses...



A good hearted fellow

asked for a contemplative solution

to, what he felt,

were the destructive urges


that he experienced

when in public.


“I should do this.”

“I shouldn’t do that.”


“Should” is poison

for it is the unctuous whisper

of contrivance;


a dark legacy

of our reptilian brain-stem.


On the other hand

centered spontaneity

is that which paves

enlightenment’s path.


One of the many benefits

of training in the Buddha’s technique

of passive meditation


is that we are able to notice

even the most grotesque of impulses


without falling into the extremes

of indulging them

or repressing them

(which would undermine our mindfulness).


For it is so much more liberating

to find a way to release them:

easy and sustainabe.


As we breathe IN

we could silently and mentally recite,

“Notice this…”


and as we breathe OUT

we could silently and mentally recite,

“relaxing!”


After twelve or so breaths

we could apply

one of the Buddha’s contemplations

such as the following:


During the inhalation

we could actively contemplate love

by silently and mentally reciting:

“Health bliss for all for FORMS…”


(“FORMS” being just a

monosyllabic synonym for “BODIES”)


and during the exhalation

we could active contemplate wisdom

by silently and mentally reciting:

“each felt, yet changing!”


After four repetitions

or rounds

we could return

to the passive meditation:


“Notice this…

relaxing!”


And back and forth we could swing

from passive meditation

to active contemplation

and back again,


like the ponderous motion

of the brass pendulum

of a grandfather clock.


There are some who fear

this technique to be too passive.


But I assure you

that although impulses may easily dominate us

when we are in a state of scatteredness

or contrivance


each of us

is neurologically incapable

of indulging a destructive impulse

from the place of centered spontaneity


that is the fringe benefit

of practicing

“Notice this…

relaxing!”


You are welcome to enjoy

my FREE lessons and guided meditations at




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with a simple

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