Root cause fix for aversion or craving

Next time you see something that you really, really like or something that you really, really dislike, ask yourself:

• Are you evaluating the event or stimulus as 'right' or 'wrong'?

• Are you labeling the event or stimulus as 'good' or 'bad'?

• Are you describing the event or stimulus as 'desirable' or 'undesirable'?
  

Make a strong determination to suspend judgment and observe the event or stimulus with equanimity. Identify the reality of the situation and deal with it. Of course, first you have to catch yourself losing emotional balance.

If this were easy to do, more would be doing it. Some situations are easier than others, work on the batting average.

Finding your weakness

Lets start with an exercise:

• List situations which frustrate you and list situations that inspire you.

• Think of all the people in this world who 'push your buttons' and people who give you the 'warm fuzzies'.

• Now think of the situations which anger you and situations that please you.

• Finally, try to understand and explain why you struggle with some situations and succeed in others.

(Reading annoying instructions like the above count)

You have just bumped up against a weakness. To fix the weakness at the root, don't waste time externalizing the causes (i.e. blaming others, your parents or circumstances).

Being human, you have to 'grandfather' in new behaviors. Be patient with yourself.

What does 'equanimity' look like for YOU?

What are YOUR cravings?

What are YOUR aversions?

Guerrilla warfare on emotions

An oxymoron.
Emotions cannot be overcome with hate, or destruction.

Therefore, instead of slaying emotions that cause loss of equilibrium, befriend them. One at a time. Not at the intellectual level, but at the experiential level.

Every interaction is an opportunity. Situations and people that piss you off are a test or a gift, depending on perspective. Opportunities lie in the most unexpected places, in fact they lie everywhere. If overwhelmed, try prioritization, with the intent to cover 100% of interactions.

Since victories can only be won one (tiny) interaction at a time, in stealth mode, the analogy to guerrilla warfare seems pertinent. Cannot declare intent via a press release or other public announcements.

I wonder if there is a substitute for 'guerrilla warfare' to describe this.

"I feel like crap"

When this happens, tell yourself the following:

• This too shall pass.
• The feeling is a reaction to external events.
• Therefore, the feeling is within your control.
• You just have to develop the equanimity to stop the feeling from happening.
  

Its not easy. The accountability aspect may sometimes make you feel worse. But that's life.

This advice may not be relevant for those who are chemically imbalanced. But then... nothing that is said here is meant to provide any assurance that the ideas work or are useful.