My mental circus, inside and out.

Anger

So, as you may already know, Emma has been on this Democratic Singles site, and on Friday she received the following tirade:

I am genuinely amazed, even startled, by the opening sentence in your profile. "Buddhist-atheist-rational intellectual..." Honestly, who are you trying to impress? lol lol This is a DATING site, for gods sake. Were you never taught to write simply...to write so that people can understand you? Your profile reads like something out of a "Monty Python" sketch. And, here's the kicker, you end by warning readers (who actually made it this far) "I can't take care of anyone with a history of mental illness.." lol lol In the field of mental health, it is those who do not realize their ill that are by far the sickest.

You may be a very nice person, and, it sounds as though you've led an interesting life...that I admire. However, and I mean this in the kindest way, you are delusional. You need to seek help from a mental health professional right away.

Well, Emma immediately forwarded this to customer service, saying that if this was an isolated incident, no big deal, but if this person was doing this to other women, perhaps something should be done about it.  She also suggested to this person that he examine why he felt such anger and the need to diminish and ridicule women who were complete strangers to him and with whom he had no quarrel.

Throughout this incident, it was hard for Emma to remain calm in the face of insult; however, she remembered her own lesson about anger.  One of the most beloved suttas recounts an incident in which a brahman came and abused the Buddha when he was giving a public discourse.  The Buddha asked him, "Friend, when you entertain guests, and they refuse to eat the food you offer, who gets it?"  The brahman answered,  "The food returns to me, and is mine."  The Buddha asked, "If you offer abuse to me, and I don't accept it, who gets it?"

Posted by: EmmaPele at April 28, 2007 19:56 | link | comments (5)

Comments:

#1  28 April 2007 - 22:10

 

I've tried twice now to comment on this post and the previous one, but I seem to lack coherence today. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the food for thought!

InMyLife

#2  29 April 2007 - 13:11

 

I'll second that...LOL Andrew

Frewin

#3  29 April 2007 - 22:04

 

I am continuously shocked and appalled by the stories I hear of such abuse.

For my part, I have trouble not feasting on the ignorance of "lol lol" and usually return it in somewhat different language. That's what I am learning.

-V

Anonymous

#4  30 April 2007 - 02:57

 

I think you handled that very well. I have much to learn about that kind of response.
diana

mafidl

#5  01 May 2007 - 22:21

 

Yeah. Your response sounds quite measured. I have come up with about six different insults that it would be too fun NOT to use. But I suppose I should draw from your example, and declare that individual a magical creature with a great deal of love for unsophisticated prose, and who will no doubt find a very rewarding spouse with a fifth grade reading level through the local state prison's Love Without Walls program.

Oh, see, I did it again.

Yoshick

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