ANGER is one of the main impulses of the mind. There are other impulses such as: desires, attachment, ego, greed, pride, jealous, etc. The afflictions of the mind are responsible for our behavior and conduct. These impulses play a great role in making up of our afflictions. As it is the nature of our mind’s affliction, similarly it affects our health and body.
Why we become angry? How it affects us? How can we be free of anger? These are the questions, which are briefly discussed below.
Why we are angry in first place?
There could be many reasons. However, the commonest reason of anger is when one’s desires are not fulfilled. Additionally, the anger will erupt when things do not happen according to my liking and ways or go against the one’s wish and will. Anger is also a reaction of a person who is dishonored and cheated. The deep insight about the anger eruption is that one may have preconceived a thought of violence in the mind. Not only ones action causes violence, it is even thinking about is a violence too. Anger also erupts due to lack of discretion.
How it affects us? The anger affects us in many ways.
First of all it affects us our thinking and wisdom. Anger changes person’s behavior. One becomes, haughty, obstinate and opposes what others have to say. One will argue and quarrel and make a fuss of everything. This creates an environment of unhappiness, unrest, and tension. Ultimately affects health.
Secondly, it affects the state of our mind. Anger will change the focus. We focus only on one thing, which was not fulfilled, the desire and demand. A kind of insanity engulfs us. One cannot think discriminately during the episode of anger. What is good or bad? We lose our temperament. We are shaky. Anger is a fire. It charred us.
Thirdly, anger affects our endocrine glands and the digestive system. Our digestion is adversely affected. We lose appetite. Some time we feel heat due to excessive anger (high Pitta). It can increase the production of acid which causes heart burn and hyperacidity (Amla-Pitta) and ultimately can lead to ulcers. Additionally, anger is also responsible for headaches, high blood pressure and sleeplessness.
How can we be free of anger? First and foremost one should not get angry or create a scenario which causes anger to erupt from either of side. One must develop high will power. If things can resolve with peace, contentment and with discretion, the anger would not erupt. Avoid intoxicating and high heat food and beverages. Eat nutritive and calming foods. Do meditation, light and slow exercises such as Yoga Asana.
Yoga Philosophy Articles
-Satya-The Truth
-Anger