Working with Difficult Emotions: 14 days of practice
Two weeks of practical tools from the discourses for pain, anger, worry and distraction: the two darts, five methods for unwanted thoughts, patience.
The early discourses are unusually practical about hard feelings. The Arrow (SN 36.6) separates the pain that happens from the second, self-made layer we add to it. How to Stop Thinking (MN 20) gives five methods for unwanted thoughts. Other texts deal with resentment, patience and the hawk that catches a quail outside its territory.
This path collects those tools. It is practice with what the texts say. It is not therapy or treatment, and if you are struggling, please talk to a qualified professional.
Scope. Day 1 is a complete free preview. Days 2–14 are part of Daily Dharma Plus. This is practice, not treatment.
All 14 days
- Day 1The second arrowSN 36.6
- Day 2Turning to another subjectMN 20
- Day 3Drawbacks, then looking awayMN 20
- Day 4Slowing the thought downMN 20
- Day 5When the water clearsSN 46.55
- Day 6A poisonous root, a sweet tipSN 7.1
- Day 7Three things, if only a littleDhp 224–226
- Day 8Meditate like the earthMN 62
- Day 9The hawk and the quailSN 47.6
- Day 10Two acrobats on a poleSN 47.19
- Day 11A bowl filled to the brimSN 47.20
- Day 12A mirror for the mindAN 10.51
- Day 13Not arguing right backAN 4.164
- Day 14Give up one thingIti 4
Day 1 is published here in full. Days 2–14 are in the iPhone app with Daily Dharma Plus; each title above links to the source text it is built on, which is free to read.