We Need to go Further

 

One time when the Buddha was speaking with the monastics, he advised them to discipline and train themselves whenever they heard people speaking to them using speech that was timely or untimely, true or false, affectionate or harsh, beneficial or unbeneficial, with a mind of good-will or with inner hate. In other words, they were to train themselves by remembering these words of advice at all times.

Like the monastics, we can train ourselves so that their minds remained unaffected. To maintain a calm, clear, and unperturbed mind, we should not allow that which we see, hear, taste, touch, or think to disturb and thus taint our pure mind. Whatever has been perceived must not move the mind but be allowed to fall away; just as an image moving in front of a mirror is reflected but is no longer present after passing out of sight.

Also, we can train to say no evil words and endeavor to never again say words that are false, harsh, divisive, or enticing. Not talking harshly to others, not being sarcastic, and not lashing out blindly are ways to control anger.

But we need to go further.

Ideally, we should not even hold anger in our hearts. Holding on to our anger will taint everything we do: when we interact with others from a mind of bitterness and frustration, we will inflict our anger on others.