This is a Zen story about anger management. It is a true story of each one of us, about what we say when we get upset and how we behave. It’s always up to you if you do or if you don’t let yourself get into a mood which is not yours!

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.