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Working With Anger: A Buddhist Approach with Thubten Chodron

Elias Mitchell

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Working with Anger

by Thubten Chodron

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	412 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages

Anger is a powerful emotion that can be destructive if not managed properly. It can lead to violence, conflict, and even war. But anger can also be a source of energy and motivation for positive change.

In this article, Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron offers practical advice on how to work with anger in a healthy and constructive way. She draws on the teachings of the Buddha, as well as her own experience as a practitioner and teacher, to offer insights and techniques that can help us to transform our anger into a source of wisdom and compassion.

What is Anger?

Anger is a natural human emotion. It is a response to a perceived threat or injustice. When we feel that we have been wronged, we may experience anger as a way to protect ourselves or to get back at the person who has harmed us.

Anger can be a powerful motivator. It can give us the energy to fight for what we believe in or to protect those we love. However, anger can also be destructive if it is not managed properly.

The Dangers of Anger

Anger can lead to violence, conflict, and even war. It can also damage our relationships, our health, and our overall well-being.

When we are angry, we may say or do things that we later regret. We may lash out at others, or we may withdraw and isolate ourselves.

Anger can also lead to physical problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and headaches. It can also weaken our immune system and make us more susceptible to illness.

Working With Anger

The key to working with anger is to learn how to manage it in a healthy and constructive way. This does not mean that we should suppress our anger or deny that we are feeling it. Rather, it means that we should learn how to express our anger in a way that does not harm ourselves or others.

There are many different ways to work with anger. Some helpful techniques include:

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. When we are mindful of our anger, we can observe it without getting caught up in it. This can help us to see our anger more clearly and to understand its causes.
Compassion: Compassion is the practice of caring for others. When we have compassion for ourselves and others, we are less likely to react to anger with violence or aggression.
Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the practice of letting go of anger and resentment. When we forgive others, we are not saying that what they did was okay. Rather, we are choosing to let go of the negative emotions that we have been holding onto.

Anger is a natural human emotion. It is not a bad thing in itself. However, it is important to learn how to manage anger in a healthy and constructive way.

The teachings of the Buddha offer us a powerful path for working with anger. By practicing mindfulness, compassion, and forgiveness, we can transform our anger into a source of wisdom and compassion.

When we learn to work with anger in a healthy way, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious world for ourselves and for others.

Working with Anger

by Thubten Chodron

4.7 out of 5