Lao Tzu Explains Why Anger Is Only a Disadvantage
The calmer we approach a matter, the better we can understand it in its true nature. However, if we go into a situation angry, our own emotion may prevent us from achieving the best possible result.
"The best fighter is never angry."
- Lao Tzu
Anger is a very strong emotion, it has the power to raise our blood pressure, as well as our pulse, and to turn off rational thinking. We now act in affect, which as we know is not always the best way to act. It can quickly happen that we say words that we mean at that moment, but as soon as we calm down, we can no longer take back.
So it is not in our interest to act in an angry state. We can do this by first taking a breath and trying to analyze what just happened. Is the situation really so urgent that we have to act immediately or do we have time to consider what the best reaction would be?
Of course, it is easy to say that we should not get upset, but how do we manage to react calmly in situations where we have been wronged?
First: It is important that we practice mindfulness, this can be done in many different ways. Starting from taking a walk, to meditation, to reading and learning about mindfulness. The more we practice mindfulness, the more we notice that there is no situation that benefits from blindly controlled behavior. The emotional distance we learn in mindfulness can be very helpful in many life situations.
Second: We often have to expose ourselves to new situations. When we rarely encounter situations that challenge us in new ways, we don't know how to act in them. Often we react with fear, frustration or even anger to new things, simply because we don't understand them. So it is important to expose ourselves to new situations on a regular basis.
If you're not sure how to do this, sit down and ask yourself what activity you don't feel like doing right now. Often the activities we shirk are novel or at least something we haven't mastered yet. This can be anything from cleaning your room to complimenting strangers. Even if these situations are not entirely new, they are newer than our daily grind.
In summary, anger blinds us, it degrades our objective perception and ensures that we do not act in the most meaningful way.
Even if we are no longer permanently fighting for survival, life in and of itself can be seen as a permanent struggle with the unknown. In this case, one should be the best possible fighter, so remember this the best fighter is never angry.
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