Tame Your Inner Beasts

I wasn't born naturally calm. I wasn't always even-tempered, and I didn't control my emotions. During my teenage years, I used to be very explosive, which was beneficial for things like playing soccer. I would play with such passion and force that it was very difficult for strikers to get past me.

My explosiveness was great for playing competitive sports, but it wasn't great for other aspects of my daily life. I used to get triggered easily and would slam doors in front of my mom and siblings when we were in the middle of an argument or when things didn't go my way.

In those moments, I didn't look good, I didn't feel good, and I ended up regretting such impulsive behaviors. People who loved me sometimes felt fear around me, expecting me to burst out with anger anytime there was conflict. I identified with such emotions, repeating to myself and other people that "it's who I am and I cannot change it."

But I did change it. I was always curious, and that led me to a lot of self-discovery and learning, which gradually helped me tame such bad impulses. But, it wasn't until I discovered the Yogi philosophy that I really understood where those emotions were coming from.

It taught me to differentiate myself from such emotions. It gave me a new perspective that reminded me that I am in charge. It taught me to sit in silence and observe my thoughts.

The Yogis teach that our minds are composed of three different parts: the instinctive mind, the intellect, and the spiritual mind. Your impulses of anger, hate, lust, jealousy, unhealthy cravings, or unworthy thoughts come from your instinctive mind, the lower part of the mind with all the animal passions.

The instinctive mind will always be there, trying to force these impulses into your consciousness. The key here is to understand that you are not your mind. Because if you think you are your mind, then it obviously becomes harder to overcome negative behaviors. You'll end up making excuses like I did, telling yourself and everyone around you that your personality is that way and you cannot change it.

But if you realize that your mind is just a tool that you can use to express yourself, then it becomes easier to discard and outgrow negative behaviors. Those impulses have served their purpose in teaching you lessons, but they no longer belong to the person you are becoming.

We all have inner beasts, and our duty is to tame them one by one.

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