The Health Effects of Losing One's Temper
October 22, 2008 When I speak to people about Buddhism and mention the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, it is that mention of anger that gets people's heads nodding in agreement. Ideally, we want to control our own tempers for the sake of all beings. An angry person cannot help others.
But what if we're not at that point? What if we have enough trouble just trying to do what is right for ourselves? If the only person we can think of helping at this moment is ourselves, we still need to realize the harm becoming angry does.
Losing one’s temper hurts both oneself and others. It is particularly harmful to one’s physical health. When one loses one’s temper, even for only a minute, it takes three days for all the cells in the body to return to normal. Imagine how much worse it is to lose one’s temper every day. Clearly, losing one’s temper is the same as gradually committing suicide.
Now that we know this, we should not lose our temper no matter what provocation we encounter. Why? Because we must protect our bodies and minds from being affected by the external environment. We should gradually reduce emotional afflictions for they are harmful to our bodies and minds. This way, we will be able to maintain mental and physical well-being. With the reduction of afflictions our wisdom will naturally increase. We should know that the true way of maintaining good health is nurturing a loving heart. We should never dislike anyone or anything. Doing this is the fulfillment of the paramita of patience. We will be living in gratitude and enjoying a life of the utmost happiness.
~ Ven. Master Chin Kung
Reader Comments (3)
I am sorry to be so ignorant about this teaching. I enjoy your blogs and I am on a path of discovery and your blog gives me a great deal to ponder on.
Hope your voice gets stronger.
Thank you - Kate
Ignorance is the most difficult to understand of the three because we generally think of ignorance in a demeaning way. But in Buddhism, ignorance is the lack of understanding the truth about the universe and ourselves. For example, people who are ignorant either do no know or believe in cause and effect, do not know that nothing in our world is permanent or has an independent self. Ignorant people think they can find happiness for themselves when those around them are suffering. They don't understand that we are all interconnected.
So ignorance as we use it means people do not yet understand the true reality. And not knowing this, they keep making mistakes.
Thank you for your good wishes for my voice. Talking less does reduce the amount of trouble I get in so it's not all bad. ;-)
This really nails one to the spot!
There is no getting around it.
What I do to another, I do to myself!
Wow, that is very powerful.
Who did I think I was fooling?
I am connected to everyone and everything by my actions - my thoughts, words and deeds.
This is like getting a glass of water thrown in my face!
I think I am awake now.
I greatly appreciate your advice - Thank you - Kate