[Nutpoode]

In another thread, Element was kind enough to offer the following in response to another question I had:

Bhikkhus, in dependence on an element there arises a perception, there arises a view, there arises a thought.

SN 14.13
Bhikkhus, sensual thoughts arise with a source, not without a source; thought of ill will arises with a source, not without a source; thought of harming arises with a source, not without a source. And how is this so?

In dependence on the sensuality element there arises sensual perception; in dependence on the sensual perception there arises sensual intention; in dependence on the sensual intention there arises sensual desire; in dependence on the sensual desire there arises sensual passion; in dependence on the sensual passion there arises a sensual quest.

In dependence on the ill will element there arises perception of ill will...

In dependence on the cruelty element there arises perception of harming...

In dependence on the renunciation element there arises perception of renunciation...

In dependence on the non-ill will element there arises perception of non-ill will...

In dependence on the harmlessness element there arises perception of harmlessness. In dependence on the perception of harmlessness there arises intention of harmlessness; in dependence on intention of harmlessness there arises desire for harmlessness; in dependence on desire for harmlessness there arises passion for harmlessness; in dependence on passion for harmlessness there arises a quest for harmlessness.

SN 14.12 The above quote speaks to a deeper question than the one I was asking and wanted to pursue it here. If this is not the appropriate forum, I apologize in advance. Though it could belong in the general forum, it is part of the Pali Canon and so I chose here to post.

Can someone speak more on 'dependence'? Actually, I'm not sure that will answer my questions and so, here is some background:

I once had a regular meditation practice of an hour a day. A crisis intervened leaving my days many hours short of what I needed for many years and that practice was a casualty. In order to properly get input I'm going to be particularly forthcoming in this post. My wife was in prison until earlier this month. Five years ago my wife was raped by a guard. Through the subsequent trial and the severe retribution that followed I teetered on the edge of depression and despair. Anger and thoughts of revenge held those enemies at bay. I am not prepared to second guess my choice to embrace and nurture those feelings at this time, but I sincerely feel that they kept me alive at the time. My point is, my wife is home now and those feelings and thoughts are no longer necessary or helpful (if they ever were) but they have become habits.

I could replace those thoughts with others by simply being aware of those thoughts arising and addressing them when they do but does that get to the root of the matter. I am not looking to bury those feelings but banish them. I feel as if I have an extraordinary opportunity here and would prefer not to make any unnecessary missteps. Any direction would be appreciated.