Ridding Yourself of Anger

I know the uselessness of anger. I know the damage it causes both emotionally and physically. Yet, sometimes anger proves the most difficult emotion to change. Once it comes over me, it feels like it attaches itself to me like a vice with no removal mechanism. I’m left to watch the negative results set forth in my life by this emotion.

Judaism teaches that we should avoid anger at all costs. In all the spiritual and metaphysical circles I have traveled, the same holds true. We are taught  that as a negative emotion, anger just begets negative results in our lives and in the world around us. We don’t help ourselves or anyone else when we feel or express anger.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov taught that anger stirs up negative energies in the upper worlds who come down and take charge of the angry person. In the process, the person loses his wisdom and power and places himself at the mercy of these negative forces. Additionally, anger causes a person to lose wealth. (So, don’t get angry over your financial situation or it will get worse!) Feeling angry actually causes  the blessing of wealth to be taken away and causes a “stain” on your soul, said Rebbe Nachman.

So, how do we change our anger and the conditions that come with it? According to the great Rebbe, we must love. We must be kind to others, thus drawing on the energy of the righteous and positive energies in the upper worlds. By doing so, we will see that the real reason we are here in this world is to do good–to give. Our understanding and wisdom will increase, making it harder for us to feel angry. Through this increased wisdom, the emotion of love increases and we create less space for anger; we will feel more peaceful.

We also can learn to not act upon our anger, holding it in and being patient and understanding, said Rebbe Nachman. This, supposedly brings blessing upon us. Indeed, in this way we actually help create a world in which the Messiah can exist, thus helping to herald in the World to Come, or peace on Earth–a world with no anger.

Today I felt very angry. Reviewing Rebbe Nachman’s teachings about anger helped me let go of that anger to some extent. I’ll be working on releasing this negative emotion through love and kindness the rest of the day, I’m sure. I might try some exercise as well. Rebbe Nachman suggests fasting as well, actually stating that ridding yourself of anger provides the main value of a fast; I choose not to fast, however. What do you do to get rid  of your anger?