Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames

Really insightful and peaceful read.

When I bought this book, I was looking for wisdom for keeping me from anger and irritability in my important relationships. I chose this book over all of the other self-help and anger-management books out there because of the author, Thich Nhat Hanh, whose other books I have read and really enjoyed. I was looking for something that would help me learn not to get angry at people close to me, but what I found in this book was that you cannot stop anger itself, but you can only stop it from ruining your relationships. You can't tell your anger to go away, just the same as if you have a stomach ache you can't tell your stomach to go away. You can only do things to make it better. And this book helps you realize what those things are.

I can't quite find the words to describe the purity, love and sheer compassion with which this book was written. Thich Nhat Hanh once again delivers simple, yet hauntingly beautiful words that reach into your heart and provide comfort and wisdom.Within the first 10 pages, I found myself crying tears of relief - finally, I was able to understand how my anger is created, why I feel that way, and how I can work towards embracing anger so that it does not remain a destructive force.Using simple, accessible language, we're taught how to understand different types of anger, what causes our anger, and how we can both embrace and release our anger, thereby encouraging peace and happiness. It's one book I wish I could buy for every person I know. I keep going back to re-read certain passages, and every time I read, I gain a new insight, a new understanding. Particularly, the "peace treaty" was a beautiful idea, and one which I did find extremely helpful.Included are meditations and practical methods one can use in times of stress and angst. The book does include some Buddhism-specific ideas and lessons, but that should not disuade the non Buddhist from reading. We can ALL learn from this wonderful wisdom.

As a counsellor I have seen first hand how people react when tragedy and loss invade our lives. First we weep, we grieve and then that grief often gives way to anger. It is okay to feel all those emotions; it is part of human nature. What is important is that we deal with our emotions in a positive, constructive manner. Violence leads to more violence, hated breeds more hate, revenge does not bring us true happiness.Thich Nhat Hanh has been a Buddhist monk since the age of sixteen and has written hundreds of books aimed at helping us deal with the trials and tribulations of day-to-day living. This particular book focuses on anger and quelling the raging fires within. No doubt, there are many fires burning within many citizens around the world as a result of the horrendous terrorist acts in America. Reading this particular book will not resolve the world's problems; it does, however, have the potential to help the reader deal with anger. Anger can be one of the most powerful, all-consuming, self-destructive emotions known to mankind if not dealt with in a constructive manner. It has destroyed relationships and divided countries. Left untethered, it eats away little by little at the soul and very core of our being.Thich Nhat Hanh is a learned, compassionate man who has the ability to make people see the positive light in virtually every situation. This book is no exception. He reminds us that anger begins and ends with ourselves. Nhat Hanh has the ability to take a complex situation, wrap it up with a bow and deliver it to us as a saving grace. His words of wisdom will help soothe the ravaged soul. Also recommended reading by this author are "Peace is Every Step", "The Heart of Buddha" and "Teachings on Love"; all are five-star books, highly recommended and well worth reading.