Anger is a strong and harmful emotion that can make us hurt ourselves and others. It can also make us lose our reason and act foolishly. How can we master our anger and avoid its bad effects? One possible source of guidance is the ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca, who wrote a book on anger called On Anger. In this article, we will explore some of Seneca’s tips and tricks on how to deal with anger effectively.
What is anger and why is it bad?
According to Seneca, anger is a wish for revenge that comes when we think that someone has harmed us or someone we love. Anger is different from other emotions because it involves a moral judgment and a violent urge. Seneca argues that anger is always unreasonable and wrong because it does not care about the situation, motives, or intentions of the person who harmed us, nor does it think about the rightness or suitability of the response. Anger also makes us blind to the truth and makes us do things without thinking, without regard for reason, law, or morality.
Seneca warns that anger can have many bad effects, both on ourselves and others. For ourselves, anger can cause physical and mental pain, such as headaches, sleeplessness, worry, and sadness. It can also ruin our reputation, relationships, and character, making us lose friends, respect, and virtue. For others, anger can lead to violence, cruelty, and injustice, such as domestic violence, killing, war, and dictatorship. Seneca gives many examples of historical figures who did terrible things under the influence of anger, such as Caligula, Nero, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar.
How can we master our anger?
Seneca offers several strategies for mastering our anger and preventing it from happening in the first place. Some of these strategies are:
- Wait. Seneca advises us to postpone our reaction when we feel angry and give ourselves time to cool down and think clearly. He says that waiting is the best cure for anger because it allows us to see things more objectively and rationally. He also suggests that we should avoid making decisions or taking actions when we are angry because they are likely to be wrong or regrettable.
- Breathe. Seneca recommends that we practice deep breathing exercises when we are angry, as they can help us relax and reduce our physical stress. He says that breathing can also balance our emotions and restore our harmony.
- See yourself as an offender. Seneca advises us to think about our own flaws and errors when we are angry at someone else. He says that this can help us understand the person who harmed us and realize that we are not perfect either. He also reminds us that we may have done similar or worse things to others in the past or may do so in the future.
- Express yourself creatively. Seneca suggests that we can use various forms of expressive therapy, such as music therapy, art therapy, and dance therapy, to turn our anger into something positive and constructive. He says that these activities can help us let go of our emotions in a safe and healthy way, without harming ourselves or others.
Conclusion
Seneca’s teachings on how to master anger are still useful today, as anger is a common and troublesome emotion that affects many people. By following Seneca’s advice, we can learn to control our anger more effectively and avoid its bad effects. We can also develop a more calm and virtuous mind that is not easily upset by external events.
