Transforming Anger: Buddhist Wisdom For Inner Peace

Here we explore two Buddhist stories that offer timeless wisdom on how to deal with anger. From the Buddha's encounter with an angry Brahman to Thich Nhat Hanh's parable of the empty boat, we discover mindful ways to confront and dissolve anger before it leads to suffering. #buddhism #mindfulness #thichnhathanh #psychology
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📚 Recommended Reading
▶ Walpula Rahula Thero: What the Buddha Taught
▶ Thich Nhat Hanh: The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
▶ Rupert Gethin: Foundations of Buddhism
Free access to Early Buddhist scripture:
www.dhammatalk...
www.accesstoin...
Check out my favorite books at: www.seekertose...
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🎶 Music
Check out the amazing beats by ‪@RMSounds‬
• /FREE/ THE ALCHEMIST T...
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📝 Script
You can read the script of this video essay on the S2S website.
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Video editing by Sempiter & Simeon

[@seeker2seeker]

Many thanks to the S2S patrons on Patreon: Tsvetina Ivanova, RMSounds, Violeta Nedialkova, Shankar Arul,, Isaac Ng, Jonathan Allen, Mark Schwartzberg, Christopher Mailander, Albert cipriani, Pachier Virasami, Brian G, Richard Metafora, Charly H, Lydia Richards, Yipeng, Colin K, Douglas Hills, J. R. Bob Dobbs, Grey, Ivo Mihov, Hans Krueger, Vladimír Šindler, Neil Toyota, Paweł Rozumek, Scott Myers, jimsturling, Nate Reeve, Yvone Beisert, Ben Petty, The Analytical Btch, Mary J Riddle-Bevan, Jamie Bell, Leo Sebastian, Sol Diaz, Isabel, Aayush Khanna, Christopher Devlin, Krozal, Thomas Pettitt, asdas, Roxar96, Hans Krueger, Patrick White, Joshua Plummer, max, Umesh, Joel & Beth, Christopher Kempton, marie möller, Gerardo Lopez, Joanne Yoon, Erik Drewniak, Thomas Crisp, William Ward, Konstantin Petkov (Kosio), Luna, M Skellyman, Mladen R., Andrew Brown, All Nazis Are Nonces, kit cheah, marquisfleur, Matt Geise, Sylvia, Nancy Fleming, Paula Lin, JKomondy, Blaze Williams, Chris Selnes, Registar, Greg h, Ang Kaji, David Cross, Armando Hernandez, Stephen D Higgins, Annette, Armando Hernandez, Victoria Pecherska, Jörg Malzahn, Evelyn Tan, giman97, Amarnath, N, Brett Ammend, Kate Radcliffe, Jack Secker, Anil, XvGt, helen reyes, Jerald Pinson, Mike Moore, Robert C. Allen, Aaron Perry, Boris Mihaylov, Cassandra Bramucci, Thinkdriver8, gguerdrum, Bonnie Lincicome, Stanley Chan, jayplk, Sanjeevini Dutta, Niels de Jong, Iván Cámpora, Andreas, Birendra Gabadamudalige, Ven, Shane Kempton, Matthew, Rich Newsome (x2), Paolo Scalora, Paul Bernhard, Katerina Shmelkova, Alix & Michael May, Chris Holloway, Sudershan Vadehra, Sasha Solovyev, Para Te Ika O Tangaroa, Eszter, Peggy Choenchom, I wonder what those eyes are seeing, Peggy Choenchom, Sarah Curtis, Anna Oldfield, Mark Bodzislaw, Raelie, Sean S, Rey Barceló, HOME MIndfulness, Will Holloway, Rebecca, Tara Cicora, wally williams, Richard Ludlow, Andy, Jer A, Jackson Armstrong, igor, Andrew, KC Nicholson, Tsen-Gun Batbold, William Dash, Ioan Ciparu! Your generous support allows me to do this work! I would also like to thank all the channel members who support my work through KZbin! You will know them by their orange badges in the comments :) Support the channel: www.patreon.com/seeker2seeker PayPal Donation: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=28CCPBHAFUUX8 Join S2S on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/3257116521009573 I owe this video, like everything else I do, to the gentle and constant support of my partner. Thank you, Elly!

[@PoppySeed84]

its refreshing to have a channel explain these concepts so smoothly. there's so many channels that are just focused debating worldviews... christians vs athiests, christians vs muslims, etc.. 90% of the time the conversations devolve into cheap jabs at one another to to push the other person into some sort of corner in an attempt to "win" the debate... rarely is compassion seen. and rarely does anyone walk away feeling more enlightened. they usually are just angry and thinking about the next debate... seems silly at the end of the day...

[@SgtJackRose]

It is silly. And this channel is wonderful.

[@Theendoftimekaliyuga]

All my life I've been able to see that the majority if the Christian Church is very far removed from the teachings of the bible, what I've learned is that this seems to be true for most major religions, for example most Buddhists temples don't even actually teach from the words of the Buddha , the Buddha never taught worship

[@MindPodcastEnglish]

It's so refreshing to find a channel that explains these concepts with such clarity. So many channels are caught up in endless debates-Christians vs. atheists, Christians vs. Muslims, and so on. Most of the time, these discussions quickly spiral into trading cheap shots, with each side just trying to back the other into a corner to claim a 'victory.' Compassion is rarely present, and instead of gaining insight, people usually walk away frustrated, gearing up for the next argument. It all feels a bit pointless in the end.

[@misanthrophex]

@@Theendoftimekaliyuga most people don't understand the point of any of this, regardless of the teaching. And at it's core, all the teachings are more or less the same, which can be basically boiled down to compassion and cooperation. Instead people make this into yet another competition for themselves, just like they do with sport, discussion, partying (dancing) etc. Going to war because of religion is the most absurd thing to do, like it goes against everything. Most people are truly blind, unconscious automatons. And I'm not saying it to offend anyone or feel superior to others, it's just a fact. People think that by constantly competing with each other, they will have more, which is a ridiculous idea. We can simplify it very easily: there are two people, will they have a better, more abundant life if they constantly fight each other, or if they constantly cooperate? I think the answer is so very clear, but it's so bright, and to those stuck in "the cave" (Plato) such light is unbearable.

[@ehtax]

Sadhu. Sadhu. Sadhu.

[@Existence.is.a.curse.0]

😺

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the generous support, my friend!

[@dizzybee7386]

Profound and enlightening. I was just thinking today about "leaders" that have waged war and death on others, both in history and in present circumstances. One of the questions that filled me was "no one should be that destructive, unless they themselves are already in pieces". I thought about Putin, Netanyahu, Hitler, Stalin; what were the causalities that made them so insanely miserable that whole continents need suffer them in their wake? It's easy to say some folk are just assholes with a finger on nuclear options. Sentiments like Pride, wrath, greed and arrogance reflect from such people. Reductively, those sentiments can unify into one place - fear. Fear of losing their power? Fear of being thought weak and insecure? Fear of a bigger enemy? Fear of one's own people? I think it says more about the fragility of their ego than it does of their victims.

[@ViralWinter]

Yet, even they have buddha nature. I pray for them to awaken swiftly- so no more need suffer such pain.

[@dizzybee7386]

@@ViralWinter Yet to awaken is to experience suffering of the self. They deny it, as if some others responsibility.

[@abhishekkaviya2579]

Thanks!

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the support!

[@isabeljirash3814]

With my heart full of gratitude SEEKER TO SEEKER for your videos to discover wisdom, thanks, thanks.

[@Jaycogomez282]

Great job. I’ve known this even as a young child, that any form of anger was empty.

[@FunnyMan-ez9vq]

These guy got the best videos on Buddhism

[@dieterfrommunich758]

Great

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for all the support, Dieter!

[@MaxKomes]

Beautiful interpretation of that story of anger from the Pali cannon.. I’ve never heard it expressed in such a potent way!

[@FrancoiseH9]

Thich Nhat Hahn. One of the greatest teachers indeed. Would love more videos on his teachings. Thank you for this insightful channel.

[@jSpirituS7]

Thay gave us lifetimes of lessons…. I will come back again and again

[@sdt1sdt]

Mr. Seeker, excellent channel and fantastic video. I have watched hundreds and hundreds of videos on many of the various philosophies, and I have found yours to be the most comprehensive, well-researched and well presented of them all. I used to make videos for the corporate environment (marketing, advertising, promotional), so I know how much work goes into a 5-minute video, let alone a 50-minute video like many of yours. I think I heard you say something to the effect of, "in the months I spent preparing this video..." I can believe that it would take months to research it, put the clips together, write the voiceover script, do the voiceover, and everything else you have to do to get one of these blasted things on KZbin... All this to say, keep up the amazing work! And keep the videos coming...

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the appreciation, my friend, I'll keep at it!

[@Dextersmythe]

I was told this story about the boat from my Buddhist teacher. His words to me is go through life like an empty boat. Took me a while to understand when intentions are pure we are nothing but an empty boat to others.

[@silentseekerYT]

Best channel on KZbin 🙏🏻

[@waxon2]

I especially loved the phrase at 05:39 "In this way he is healing both himself and the other person", not identifying with our emotions at 06:26 and therefore being able to direct them, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's boat story at 07:57, Jung's quote at 12:20 -- very true, and your keen and insightful "empty boat" interpretation at 13:42. May I learn to see all boats as empty. I also really liked the "anger as an indicator of hurt", "feelings as a passive experience" comments at the end of the video. A very beautiful and helpful video. Thank you :)

[@Jasmine_breeze]

Anger is a powerful weapon. Use it wisely. The trick is not to suppress emotions, but not to let them rule us. It is not the emotion that is bad, but the person makes bad choices when under the influence. Love, just like an anger, can lead astray. Love is a word that people use to do whatever they want, act selfishly or impulsively. It is the same with anger. Personally, I like to use anger when I have less physical strength and I need to focus. I heard Karmapa say, that he uses hatred before giving the lectures. He uses it, is not used by it. There is a big difference.

[@santosavini]

Agree. Anger has transformed society, it has been used to fight injustice and make our lives better. There's still injustice in this world, and using anger as a motivating tool can help us transform that reality and make it more just.

[@QuantumlyILL]

It's serendipitous that your last handful of videos have pleasantly aligned with current conversations I've been having. I'm in-joy-in-myself having your perspective and the ability to put your videos on to help further the ideas at hand. ❤

[@fcmiller3]

I’ve been learning this teaching and am beginning to understand through practice, life lessons and studying. Thanks for this video!!

[@peterclark-zd8jb]

This is an utterly amazing video!!! Thank you.

[@jorgeprado928]

Useful, crystal clear and up to the point as always. Thank you, brother!

[@JDubbyDubby]

Gentleness requires courage when we feel anger toward another. Respond with gentleness. This is the practice of a Bodhisattva 😊

[@channe11-manager]

That was beautiful. Thank you.

[@anicca6877]

Thank you. You should make longer videos on these topics. Amazing work as always

[@TimelessPhilosophies95]

Excellent video

[@Aires457]

I discovered this philosophy when I was very little. I realized that it's important to not take anything personally, because nothing is personal.

[@jonatansoliveirapereira5564]

when you asked us about anger the other day, I mentioned the empty boat story. I got to happy to see it here, through your beautiful reflection and words! As far as I know, you don't consider yourself a teacher or guru of any fashion, but this video is the exact content modern lay practicioner should return every now and then to refresh the Buddha's teachings on us. I'm deeply thankful to you for this piece of wisdom, but also one that I like to appreciate as a piece of art also. It touches the deeper levels, it touches the spirit.

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the kind words, my friend, it means a lot!

[@LittlGuro04]

Bro, conventional you’s videos are so great. Thank you!

[@timothydillan4062]

Great video! Your interpretation for the two stories you have shared are deeply inspiring. I'd like to give an additional interpretation, specifically for "The Boat" story and it's relation to enlightenment. I'd like to start with the following quote from your video: "With his lowered eyes, the monk sees the outline of the object, recognizes it's another boat. Immediately, he is filled with rage..". The "lowered eyes" and the monk's immediate "imagination" represents a state in which one is not yet fully enlightened; a state by which one is limited by one's own choice for vision and judgement. This assumption of mine is further emphasized by the words: "lowered eyes", translates to the state is in which one has yet to open their eyes fully, such that they will be able to experience and understand things as they are. To "open your eyes", to move from the state of seeing the world through "lowered eyes", moving from the comfort of being in a filter bubble, constantly thinking and seeking similar thoughts for the validation of the ego, over-and-over, is a difficult and a multi-generation endeavor. It is only when we are able to realize our current "lowered eyes" state, attempt to open our eyes and be mindful, only then we would be able to move further towards the state of self-realization and (hopefully) eventually, "enlightenment". Thanks again for the thought-provoking video!

[@seeker2seeker]

What a beautiful reflection... thank you, my friend!

[@adamshredder3142]

Your channel is such a precious gift! I, and probably many others, could really use a video on Buddhist insights/stories about anxiety and fear, and how to deal with them. Regardless of what you make next, thank you 🙏

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the kind words and the suggestion, my friend, I'll keep this in mind!

[@huubkr]

This story reminds me of becoming aware of my own inner anger. As technical board member of a home owner association of a large parking garage I got frustrated and angry because people were sabotaging a “door closer” as many complained a lot of force needed to open this access door. I ventilated my frustration in the app group of all owners, asking them to stop the sabotage. There, somebody pointed out a technical defect, which turned out nobody’s fault. It taught me the anger and frustration was al made up in my mind. I apologize publicly and offered the person reporting a beer on my behalf.

[@MrRyobinDelta]

Im greatful for your videos, thank you

[@Coreypsich]

My friend you are a poet. Again, your video helped me see more clearly. I had personally had a breakthrough in anger recently and this brought a deeper light to it.

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for all the support and the kind words, my friend! It's all part of the path and may you keep on walking :)

[@tzakman8697]

Man, your videos are so well made!

[@titussteenhuisen8864]

I see overcome wilful anger and important element in enlightenment and normal civilisation.

[@perlaferrer8209]

Deep, simple and incredibly practical! Yet hard to achieve, it’s a journey of a lifetime to know and recognise reality for what it is: an illusion, albeit a persistent one, as Einstein said. Beautiful stories thank you for sharing.

[@enzobelluomini7835]

wow! thank you so much for the video, and sharing the dharma :)

[@bg-se7rq]

Thich Nat Hanh 🏃‍♂️🙏🙏

[@fookkongng1786]

🙏🙏🙏

[@zerkton2648]

I lost my temper last night at my gorgeous, brilliant screaming child. It was “because” they were yelling and they hadn’t done their homework….again. I always feel like total shit the next day after a bout of “feeling right and justified” in the moments when I’m lost in anger. So fitting that this important video is the first thing I see while wallowing in shame, grief and that all to familiar lap of self hate. Not the first time your videos have shown up ominously on time. You are so appreciated. Thank you….again❤

[@seeker2seeker]

I know exactly what you're talking about, my friend. It's all a part of the learning and, reading your reflections, I'm sure the unpleasant experience will serve you as insight. Best of wishes to you and your gorgeous, brilliant, screaming child! (I have one just like that in the other room as I'm writing :D)

[@zerkton2648]

@@seeker2seeker 💕💝🌈❤️‍🩹 thank you 🙏 friend

[@justinmccord2714]

Excellent video and beautiful images!

[@hammersaw3135]

The empty boat I think about it constantly, it is most relevant on the freeway, where people are constantly doing reckless things and bringing you within inches of your early death.

[@BeattleX]

Youre Videos help me so much developing me my Self and my Soul, they give me Peace and Remind me Of the true source i really come from, thx a lot I usually dont Write comments but i wanted to say i am really thankfull, pls continue with this work

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you, my friend, will do! And I appreciate the comment :)

[@blueskies1237]

Why is this lake so full of empty boats crashing into me.

[@SgtJackRose]

That’s a relief, I thought it was just me. What is with all these friggen boats?

[@ray1johnson1]

It never ends...not even when you die. You just come back for some more. LOL.

[@seeker2seeker]

😂

[@ray1johnson1]

Thank you for the video. I really enjoyed the first story about the Buddha and the Reviler. That was the first time I heard it and it was enlightening. Regarding the boat story and its lessons, when the narrator used that story to explain why he believed the Buddha wasn't angry with the Reviler - because the Buddha knew there was no self there - I disagreed with that. To me, of course there was a self there in the Reviler when he was delivering anger and hatred to the Buddha. The self is what was angry. Anger and hatred rise from the self, the source of all suffering. I like to say: have self, will suffer. No self, no suffering.

[@misanthrophex]

I really wonder why people disliked this video. Is it because they got angered by it, or is it because there is something supposedly wrong with the ideas here? To me the ideas seem all good. So the people, funnily enough, got angered by this video about how anger is our choice. I wish there was a bit more of a mention about how anger is truly mostly harming us ourselves. Depending on it's level and expression, but still the person who gets mad with rage is the person who is hurting them.

[@TwilightDawn193]

Do not transform anger, rather EMBRACE anger, just like based Nichiren Daishonin did Nam Myoho Rengye Kyo 🙏

[@hammersaw3135]

I recently read the courage to be disliked and was introduced there to new to me conception of Adlerian psychology. He has a different take than Jung and Freud but is certainly worth considering researching and practicing. Some of the ideas there go really well with an eastern philosophical view of the world, and really put the power back in your hands to possibly radically change your life

[@seeker2seeker]

Thanks for that, I'll keep it in mind! I've only heard of Adler in passing.

[@hammersaw3135]

@seeker2seeker it changed the way I look at psychology. I see people and my past differently. Learning from that book was world changing like in way that attracted me to your videos. He rejected the concept of trauma as anything meaningful

[@goodzindagi]

Much awaited♥Danke Schon♥♥

[@Buddhasecret2024]

Let go of your worries, fears and attachments. Focus only on the task at hand. Be fully present in the moment and the rest will follow

[@johnjacquard863]

4th and 5th fetters fall together:) ❤ * the ten fetters *

[@marke.sherman8321]

Tell Israel this, their experience of responding with non-hate only resulted in haters preparing for more intense hate at them.

[@MLeahy-i7b]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a failed seeker of Buddhism, although I will always believe it is the way, and I have more lifetimes to get there (I hope). If anger leads to seeking /finding justice, as when an offender is jailed for violating another person of the opposite gender, then the rest of society is safer and that person is prevented from hurting others. I don't think this is a negative and anger at the violator's actions is what instigates this justice---how is that wrong? Then one can move away from his or her anger (knowing justice has prevailed) and seek the Dharma with a free and clear mind.

[@micmic2575]

There exists a bell curve of motivations that vary from levels of simulation and produce varying levels of quality and efficacy of life. Lethargy and apathy will produce little fruitful effort as it has too little simulation, so too will terror and panic produce little fruit as these have too much simulation. Anger exists somewhere in between these emotions, yet there is a superior emotion to be motivated by. In moments of potential anger, it is better to realize the thought that thinks it is angry and redirect the self into a better way. Anger invites tribalism and tribalism suffering. The suffering of self, and the suffering of others. Anger can seem like love when it is most insidious and pernicious. It’s better to discard anger for love. What exactly is love is an entirely different matter that I’m not completely sure about myself. What I know is that love is far beyond what society thinks it is. I believe the best motivation, the apex of motivation, is love. I’m not saying anger is an inherently bad emotion to feel. I’m saying it is usually a lesser motivation to act upon. These words seem lacking. When seconds and milliseconds matter, a lesser answer is usually better than no answer. It’s better to not be in a place where such incidents occur, but we are not in full control of our environment.

[@johnchemist8628]

Dear Simeon, What would Jung had said of an empty boat hitting this monk's boat as he's experiencing satori? Would he write it off as coincidental wind speed and direction? No. He would not. What would his understanding be? (God bless you and your work)

[@seeker2seeker]

I love this reflection! Yes, in the Jungian light, that empty boat is synchronicity, the world within and the world without conspiring to bring about individuation. And I don't think this is just a Jungian trick of interpretation. I believe there's something deeply true in it. God bless you too, friend!

[@northern2912]

I don't lose my temper, I choose to throw it away, and then I regret my choices

[@jSpirituS7]

Have you been able to transform your anger lately? 🙏🏼❤️

[@seeker2seeker]

It's a difficult process... but a rewarding one!

[@jSpirituS7]

@@seeker2seeker anger is sneaky It wants to disguise itself in so many different forms

[@davidcorreia8298]

How can the people in Gaza or in situations such as those, make use of these teachings?

[@johnsozio9154]

To ask that question is to not understand the lesson Everyone can benefit from the lesson

[@badgerbusiness9059]

Yeah, let go of one's anger is a Star Wars movie quote, do you fight your enemies at all? With emptiness in you...what?

[@SgtJackRose]

It’s not emptiness is in you, it’s that all things are empty.

[@PaulMielcarz]

Anger is rebuke statement. The role of anger, is to correct behavior of people who did something wrong. It's not about lashing out. It's about enforcing certain standards of social behavior.

[@Ryan-SeongJun]

Guys, don’t attachment anything in your life.

[@christaylor553]

Yes anger is a choice, but nothing in this univers is inherently good or evil, that includes anger, which can be used constructivly when used with wisdom. If one is true middle way one must use anger with ut most efficientcy when the moment calls for it.

[@DeAguaMusic]

When would you say that choosing anger is an advisable choice?

[@titussteenhuisen8864]

I don’t know how to deal with anger that is projected through black magic

[@James-ll3jb]

Anger is not a choice.😅

[@tatagata6268]

some noise for the algo

[@DiogenesNephew]

I'm pissed!

[@opperhoofdgeilebizon]

A like and a comment as a thanks

[@davefamdo]

Thanks!

[@seeker2seeker]

Thank you for the support!

[@JDubbyDubby]

🙏🙏🙏