Anger is one of the worst pollutants of the human mind and a toxic element of human nature. It has been deprecated by all religions of the world and has been underlined as a certain gateway to chaos.
It would do us much good if we understood why anger afflicts us, what its deleterious consequences are and what could be done to overcome it.
We tend to lose our temper when we hear, see or experience something that we dislike or disagree with. Anger is basically reaction to our disagreement with things or situations which is accepted as a natural response to confrontation. But there are many persons to whom anger is not a natural impulse. They seem to remain unruffled during unfavourable situations. We must understand why this is so. People who are naturally good-tempered are more spiritually refined. Spiritual refinement is the core of human progress that helps humans realise both their material and spiritual goals.
Anger is damaging and destructive to human nature. It is a product of ignorance. When a person is oblivious to the complexities of a situation, he succumbs to anger. When anyone wrongly thinks that angry behaviour can subdue others and can be of benefit, the person falls prey to disintegration of personality. When one is unaware of the other’s predicament or point of view, irritation occurs. Anger leads to breakdown of communication. It snaps relationships within moments. It creates an aura of unhappiness and negativity all around. It makes bitter enemies out of bosom friends and puts roadblocks in man’s progress. It has been stated that ten minutes of angry behaviour makes a person lose so much energy that could otherwise have enabled him to perform hours of productive work.
How does one control anger? First of all, it is necessary to understand the fruitlessness, futility and even more, the damaging effects of anger. Once that is achieved, we need to determine that we will not give in to anger, whatever be the situation or provocation. When this strong determination settles into our subconscious, it will help to keep our equanimity in unfavourable situations. When we are clear about its damaging effects on our body and mind, and the ways in which it interferes with our progress, we shall deliberately try to overcome it.
Since anger takes root in the mind before it manifests as ugly and rude behaviour, it is in the mind that anger is to be destroyed. Anger is also a symptom of mental health. We should understand that a healthy mind can reside only inside a healthy body and the food that we eat goes on to nourish the mind as well. The gross portion of the food nourishes the body when it is ingested, while subtle portion nourishes the mind. Pure, wholesome, fresh food, taken in moderate quantities is conducive to mental health. A healthy mind does not give in to anger.
The mind is the controller of senses. As a physical entity, it functions through the nervous energy of the air element. Hence, the mind can be favourably conditioned through breath control, or Pranayam. This practice helps us to purify the mind and helps control anger.
Last but not the least, meditation, spiritual practice and the worship of the divine creator help us purify the mind by drawing upon that infinite reservoir of peace and bliss.
In the ordinary situations of everyday life, one should try to overcome anger by simple, handy means. When a person gets irritated and is about to give in to anger, he should deliberately stop conversing and observe silence. He can also walk away from the situation temporarily or cool down by drinking a glass of cold water. Even taking deep breaths when ruffled or irritated helps subdue anger.
Anger is really a potent damaging poison and its extermination is essential to human happiness, progress and salvation. We have to get the better of it to progress in life and attain the ultimate destiny of eternal divine bliss.