Mental Cultivation Art

Author: Li Mei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Learning to control anger is something everyone can do; however, being irritable and easily angered is an undesirable personality and temperament trait. People who are prone to anger often flare up, harm themselves, hurt others, and damage things. Learning to control anger contributes to physical and mental well-being. Anger can have positive significance in special circumstances, such as the indignation faced when confronting invaders or the righteous anger toward lawbreakers, which can give people strength and courage. But in most situations, anger has significant negative effects. For example, during anger, one may easily trigger symptoms such as gastric ulcers, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, liver disease, cerebral hemorrhage, and neurasthenia; under intense anger, one may even faint or even suffer a sudden death. When angry, one may also fight or destroy property. The process of an angry outburst can be divided into three stages:
Stage 1: Latency Period
This stage is characterized by the growth of dissatisfaction, aversion, and unpleasant emotions, but one still retains rationality, and willpower is still in effect, allowing one to feign a smile and suppress themselves.
Stage 2: Eruption Period
Rationality is lost, and willpower supervision fails, leading to uncontrollable behavior.
Stage 3: Shock Period
After the storm of anger, a state of calm and fatigue occurs, with exhausted energy, listless spirits, and accompanying symptoms such as headaches and general discomfort.
Therefore, controlling anger can only be done in the latency period. Once past the eruption period, it becomes difficult to control and regulate. So, how can one control anger?
1. Enhance personal cultivation and develop the habit of self-restraint. While being prone to anger is indeed related to characteristics of the nervous system, it is primarily due to personality traits, such as a lack of etiquette, domineering, selfishness, unrestrained behavior, neurotic personality types, impulsive and willpower, and a lack of self-control habits and abilities, all of which make one easily angered.
2. Adopt an optimistic attitude in dealing with others. Life is often full of thorns and, and misfortunes are common. Encountering misfortune, setbacks, and difficulties is unavoidable. If one takes a relaxed view, anger naturally dissipates.
3. Transform anger into determination. When needs are unmet, when one feels humiliated, or when facing bureaucracy or extremely unreasonable systems, one may become angry. However, anger cannot solve problems—instead, one should strive to reform with determination.
4. Use psychological health techniques to control anger. The methods are as follows:
- Avoidance: For non-principle issues, strive to avoid disputes, stay away from stimuli that anger you, and avoid unnecessary conflicts with others.
- Distraction: Shift your attention to enjoyable and uplifting activities to free yourself from anger.
- Suppression: Consciously suppress unpleasant thoughts, critique yourself, and use willpower to control emotions.
- Ventilation: Find a confidant to vent your frustrations and never let anger build to an unbearable point.
- Displacement: Transfer your resentment or anger toward someone else to an object (e.g., your belongings) for.
How to Maintain a Relaxed Mind While Watching Sports Matches
Sports competitions are intense, whether watching live or through TV broadcasts. People are often moved by the fierce struggles on the field, experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, becoming highly excited. However, tense or excited emotions can increase the secretion of norepinephrine, growth hormone, and adrenaline in the body,、