Product Description

Under a bodhi tree in India 2500 years ago, Buddha achieved the insight that three states of mind were the source of all our unhappiness: ignorance, obsessive desire and anger. All are equally difficult to control but, in one instant of anger lives can be ruined and our spiritual development can be destroyed. Now, in the 21st century, medical science tells us Buddha was right: anger can also ruin our health. This text offers a different perspective on taking care of our anger, by treating the anger as we would a crying baby - by picking it up and talking to it, trying to find out why the baby is crying. Filled with stories and techniques this book offers a wise and loving look at transforming anger into peace in order to bring harmony and healing to all areas of our lives affected by this difficult emotion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11878 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 227 pages

Synopsis
Under a bodhi tree in India 2500 years ago, Buddha achieved the insight that three states of mind were the source of all our unhappiness: ignorance, obsessive desire and anger. All are equally difficult to control but, in one instant of anger lives can be ruined and our spiritual development can be destroyed. Now, in the 21st century, medical science tells us Buddha was right: anger can also ruin our health. This text offers a different perspective on taking care of our anger, by treating the anger as we would a crying baby - by picking it up and talking to it, trying to find out why the baby is crying. Filled with stories and techniques this book offers a wise and loving look at transforming anger into peace in order to bring harmony and healing to all areas of our lives affected by this difficult emotion.

From the Publisher
Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and internationally bestselling author shares the tools for overcoming anger

About the Author
Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese poet, bestselling author and peace activist, has been a Buddhist monk for over 40 years. He was chairman of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace delegation during the Vietnam War and was nominated by Dr Martin Luther King for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1966 he visited the US and Europe on a peace mission and was unable to return to his native land. Today he heads Plum Village, a meditation community in south-western France, where he teaches, writes, gardens and aids refugees worldwide.

Customer Reviews

A great book on controling anger
Thich nhat hahn is agreat author who really speaks to your heart,I would recommend getting "The miracle of mindfullness" by Thich nhat hanh,to use with this book.

Beautiful and helpful
The techniques and philosophy described in this book are magical. Not only does it help you soothe your anger, it teaches you to embrace it, as you would a crying child. It does not treat anger as something to be 'purged' from your system,for example by punching a pillow. It is something to be gently looked after and understood. I often use the meditation techniques described when I am feeling angry, and every time they have been helpful, and I have gained insight into myself and the situation. I have also stopped being angry with myself for being angry, as reading this book has made me realise that to be angry is not 'wrong'. I had also never thought of anger as suffering, but it is; reading this book helps you see the true nature of your anger.

unmindful of the reader
If you're angry and looking for help then this book is unlikely to bring you any immediate solace or practical guidance. There are some nice ideas here but like most Buddhist writings they are presented in an unmindful way, i.e. with no consideration for the non-Buddhist reader and those unwilling to self-edit the material to make it usable.

The nice ideas: 'mindful' breathing whenever you are about to explode, owning and taking responsibility for your anger, 'venting' by punching pillows = rehearsing your anger, are interesting but...you can find these tips in any anger book or website out there, try Dr Irene's 'tips to help the control freak give up angry control' - it's only one side of A4 long and far more immediate.

It's quite a disorganised read overall and the mindful meditation exercises at the back are poorly explained. Shame really.

If you are a man looking for immediate advice on dealing with your anger then my advice is to try either Beyond Anger: A Guide For Men or some practical Cognitive Behavioural Therapy using the Feeling Good Handbook.

I thought the ideas here were useful but poorly presented, so for those with an interest in Thich's ideas buy it, for those with more practical needs written in everyday English try the books above.