The Essential Guide to Working with Difficult Emotions

So much of our happiness depends on how we work with our emotions. Buddhist practice helps us understand the energy of strong emotions, free ourselves from negative emotional patterns, and discover the wisdom in even the most difficult emotions. In this helpful guide, a number Buddhist teachers offer insights and techniques to help us work with difficult emotions.

ARTICLES

Calling on Jizo

In Japan, Jizo Bodhisattva is the “guardian of children who have died.” Zen priest and grief counselor Dojin Sarah Emerson recalls how the Jizo Ceremony helped after the death of her daughter.

The Nature of Fear

In this classic piece from the Lion’s Roar archives, Joseph Goldstein explores the different types of fear, and how we can sit with fear and hold onto it in our practice.  

The protector Vajrasadhu, painted by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

The Wisdom of Anger

If you know how to use it, says Melvin McLeod, the energy of anger becomes fierce and compassionate wisdom. Even the buddhas get angry about injustice.

How to Look at a Wall

Zen teacher Karen Maezen Miller explains Bodhidharma’s famous practice of wall-gazing.

Dark birds.

The Wisdom in Dark Emotions

Grief, fear and despair are part of the human condition. Each of these emotions is useful, says Miriam Greenspan, if we know how to listen to them.

ARTICLES

How to Look at a Wall

Zen teacher Karen Maezen Miller explains Bodhidharma’s famous practice of wall-gazing.

The Nature of Fear

In this classic piece from the Lion’s Roar archives, Joseph Goldstein explores the different types of fear, and how we can sit with fear and hold onto it in our practice.  

Calling on Jizo

In Japan, Jizo Bodhisattva is the “guardian of children who have died.” Zen priest and grief counselor Dojin Sarah Emerson recalls how the Jizo Ceremony helped after the death of her daughter.

Dark birds.

The Wisdom in Dark Emotions

Grief, fear and despair are part of the human condition. Each of these emotions is useful, says Miriam Greenspan, if we know how to listen to them.

The protector Vajrasadhu, painted by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

The Wisdom of Anger

If you know how to use it, says Melvin McLeod, the energy of anger becomes fierce and compassionate wisdom. Even the buddhas get angry about injustice.

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