A Zen disciple approached his teacher. “Master, I have an uncontrollable temper. Can you help me overcome it?”
“Hmmm, that’s strange. Can you show it to me?” asked the master.
“Not right now.”
“Why not?”
“It occurs suddenly.”
“Then it can’t be a part of your true nature,” said the master. “If that were the case, you wouldn’t have any difficulty in showing it! Why do you allow something that isn’t yours to worry you?”
Thereafter, the master’s words would come back to the student whenever his temper rose. Soon, he learned to check his anger and developed a placid temperament.
Lost your temper recently? Don’t go looking for it!
Thank you for this post. I have found it very useful with managing my own temperament.
have a great day.
Peter
Posted by: Peter Hallam | 07/20/2010 at 06:59 AM