Anger and Its Management

Anger and Its Management

How to overcome anger?

Self Analysis.

First, think about yourself. Think about what situation or which person caused your anger. Also think, about what aspect of the person is causing anger. Anger is caused by impatience intolerance which is caused by the restlessness of the mind. This is suggestive of a weak mind. Also a lack of proper discipline, right from childhood including a lack of education of the right manners and behavior. For this, the blame goes to the parents.

Causes of Anger

There are two self-explanatory verses in the 2nd chapter, verses 62 and 63 about the causes and consequences.

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते || 62||

dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate

The Bhagavad Gita Ch2 Verse 62

General Meaning:

People frequently thinking of objects of sense enjoyment, develop strong attachment to those objects and subsequently develop strong desires for those. When obstacles develop and desires can’t be fulfilled, anger is born.

Consequences of the Anger

क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम: |
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति || 63||

krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ sammohāt smṛiti-vibhramaḥ
smṛiti-bhranśhād buddhi-nāśho buddhi-nāśhāt praṇaśhyati

The Bhagavad Gita Ch2 Verse 63

General Meaning:

From anger, mental clouding is born. From mental clouding, delusions are born. From delusions, disturbed memory and failure of reasoning occurs. From memory failure, occurs destruction of Intellect and Wisdom. From this occurs the destruction of human values.

How to control anger?

Anger is a mental negative emotion, depending on the undisciplined, restless mind, and thoughts. The first logical step is to practice all techniques which remove the restlessness or Prana (Life Energy) and the mind, by practicing Kriya Pranayama. Using a calm mind, one should practice the concentration of the mind leading to meditation. This will effectively prevent anger. The great Ancient Author of Astanga Raja Yoga; Patanjali, instructs that the negative emotion of anger should be substituted by its opposite positive emotion of forgiveness and mercy. Daily humble and sincere prayers also help in stabilizing the mind and practice of kindness and mercy, also help.

Prolonged anger and Hostility

When suppressed and prolonged anger coexists with hostility, they play havoc with mental and physical health. Diseases like, high blood pressure, heart problems and many other psychosomatic diseases occur, endangering quality and quantity of life. It causes family disturbances, social disharmony, and prolonged stress. One should not take vital and important decisions when there is anger.

Spiritual (Yoga) practice and anger

Yoga or spiritual practice is not possible if anger is not eliminated. The observations of the basics of yoga, like Yama and Niyama, are a must. They help a lot in overcoming many negative mental and physical habits, which weakens the body and mind and prevent yoga and spirituality.

Peace and Love

Peace and love, can’t co-exist with anger and hostility. So to develop and enjoy peace and love, anger and hostility have to be eliminated.

Relevant Prayer

khyameyaham sarban vaijeevan
tey ch khyamantu maamsadaa
maitrisyaat sarba bhuteshu
na me dwesha astu kenachit

General Meaning:

Om, Bless me God that I am able to forgive every being. Bless me, God, that all beings are able to forgive me, always. Bless me God that I have a friendship with all beings. Bless me, God, that, I don’t hate any being, and there is no hostility at all. The success in this venture depends on self-motivation and will power. This will facilitate the continuous practice of the above techniques for anger management

Om Peace, Peace, Peace

With Love and Blessings to you. Humbly,
Paramahansa Atmananda Ji