Dhamma for Lifestyle (23)

Anger
 
Everyone has more or less anger and is expressed in different ways. Some people are easily angered, but it disappears quickly and are quite normal after that.

For some people, when they get angry, they develop feelings of hatred and desire for revenge. They take it in and hold onto it until they have a chance to get their revenge. Some people hold onto the anger and never forget it. Whenever they get angry, they add it to their stored anger of the past, and hold onto it and mull over it again, tying their anger fast, all the big and small angers, thinking repeatedly about them.

The expression of anger, is like steam flowing out of a boiling kettle. Steam comes from heat. Water is the anger that contain hatred. Heat is the conditions that fashion the anger. Steam is the emotion of anger. If there is no reaction to heat, steam does not arise. If we dislike the conditions for anger, then, we will not be angry. If we cannot bear the heat, we should look for a way to release it.

A kettle has a hole to let the steam out, but, if not, the pressure would build up and eventually explode. Similarly, if we are angry, we should look for a way to release it.

Anger, whether it is small or great, long lasting or not, always destroys happiness and health. It is harmful both to you and those around you. The Buddha said that, those who kill anger live happily and will not be sad.

Mindfulness and wisdom can cut off and dig out the root of anger. And so, we should try our best to have them.

Reference: Gavesako, Ven. Ajahn Mitsuo. A fragrance of Dhamma. 2013.

Posted by Jade Dame