Robert Roth/Meditator in Bayside Meditation
Anger is a troubling emotion. The Buddha said holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Yet people hold on to anger for years. It is a very difficult emotion to let go of. I have struggled with anger for much of my life. Evil is a very real presence in the world, unfortunately it is not something we can control. The only thing we can control is how we react to events in our lives.
I have found exercise to be a very good form of release for my anger. It relieves the inner tension in myself so that the symptoms of my anger diminish. It might be helpful to meditate. When you meditate your mind slows and the angry thoughts diminish. Meditation also helps you to breathe more naturally. I also find it helps to distract my mind. If I read something or focus my mind on something else it helps me to cope.
We all suffer setbacks and disappointments in life. It is part of being human. Close friends will betray us. Relationships will end. The philosopher Immanuel Kant said that with much wisdom comes much grief. Hopefully we can learn to use life’s setbacks to gain in wisdom and maturity. So let’s all resolve to let go of anger in a healthy way, through meditation, exercise and other forms of release.