There is a well know Buddhist saying I’ve always liked, and try to keep it in mind, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” This happens to us all in varying degrees. For most of us it passes and that’s that. For others, they hold on to that burning coal for so long, they suffer greatly and become consumed, resulting in scars that are hard to heal. Then that fire consumes, by way of violence, those around that person. And it spreads, just like a fire, if allowed. We must learn to let go of that hot coal, no good will come of it. Anger cannot stop anger. Hate cannot stop hate. Violence only begets violence. There is but one thing that can stop any of this and that is love. Just as the burning coal starts within a person and can spread outward; love does as well. If we do not have love for ourselves, we cannot send it out to others properly. As said by The Dalai Lama, love & compassion are necessary in order for us to survive. There are far too many in this world who attempt to survive on hate and violence. Feel pity for these people and their suffering. Anyone of us at anytime can help alleviate that suffering by offering the nourishment of love. The cycle can and must be broken. However, if you cannot or will not be able to help, then at least do no harm (Thanks Kurt!). All of this violence & hate is but an extreme outward manifestation of a person’s own terrible suffering. Maybe if that person can see that is possible to cultivate love, compassion and find peace in their lives, by seeing it done by others, then there is hope. If you want a real revolution that will truly make this world a better place, free your mind instead (thanks John & Paul).
it's a beautiful+difficult thing to respond to negativity with love and positivity. but you are so right: it's the only thing that stops it.
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