Is revenge OK?

[SuddenlyWestFemme]

Originally Posted by softheart

I will probably burn in the eternal fires but, I don't care. Sometimes it feels so good. (giggling)

There is a scientific reaason for that. According to Scientific American: "We have learned that revenge can activate pleasure centers in the brain and lead to that so-called "sweet taste of revenge." See their website article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...enge-evolution

Yes, there is a lot of Science around how we feel good when we get revenge (and some of the studies show men get more pleasure from revenge than women - but that's another issue). But it is a pleasure that doesn't really last.

I find this topic interesting. When my ex (not on this site) left under really bad circumstances, I wanted to 'act-out' and get revenge. But being sober, it wasn't an option. I had to keep chanting "Do no harm" as I can't afford the instant pleasure that revenge would have brought no matter how much I wanted it. So now I do yoga and listen to Buddhist meditations and time has worked its magic on healing. I feel much better about myself than I would have - had I gotten revenge.

When I was so sad on the floor crying, I did a lot of research around the science of being left and wanting revenge (and friends sent me articles). I found that being left hits a part of the brain that is hit when burning hot coffee is spilled on you. It actually is physically painful! And wanting relief is just natural human behavior! It was good to know that there was a reason I was feeling so badly and I just had to do the next right thing and hold on for dear life until my brain was back to itself.

It is wonderfully hard to remain kind in the face of being treated horribly. But in the long run, it is worth it. And even losing my best friend in the 9-11 attacks and living 26 blocks from the trade centers did not make me want revenge as I knew it wouldn't help anything in the long run. In fact, I am sad about all that has been done in the name of those attacks. But I guess that is another thread as well.

Interesting topic.

[WickedFemme]

I don't think 'revenge' is a good idea although I fantasize about it often, I would never actually carry it out. I just feel all ooogey when I give something too much negative energy. I find that it makes me feel more negative and somehow deepens my wrinkle lines, which is not a good thing for my vanity or my spiritual being. I prefer to let it go and move on and focus on the positive and things that are in my control rather than attempt to alter someone's life in some skeezy way. It's not worth it and people are just merely 'human' and make mistakes.

however, if I had a child and someone did something harmful to that child - I don't think I could be all spiritual about it. Perhaps this is why I am not a parent and quite thankful that I'm not.

[Quintease]

I agree that thoughts of revenge are often a very effective medicine.

The reality, not so good. Unless you're the type of person who could be relied upon to break a gang out of a high-security jail, revenge is best left in your head. A revenge-gone-wrong episode will only succeed in making you look bad.

I'm happy as I've never taken revenge on anyone who's ever done me wrong, yet life has always caught them up. Bad people don't generally know where to stop, so eventually lose their friends, their jobs and their reputation. I wouldn't want to live a life of my bridges constantly eroding behind me.

As Duffy very wisely says "I pity the fools who bathe in you
'Cause I know someday now they'll see your colors too"

[kannon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Shakespeare wrote, revenge is a dish better served cold. If you have to serve it, serve it cold.

[pinkgeek]

The croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.
Hamlet

Originally Posted by kannon

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Shakespeare wrote, revenge is a dish better served cold. If you have to serve it, serve it cold.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/883.html

ok, so it's wiki
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/reveng...st_served_cold