Inspirations for overcoming anger
By E. S.
Incarcerated people 
On Overcoming Anger 
Jan 21, 2009 
Hello to all at Sravasti Abbey.
Just writing to thank you all for Working With Anger by Venerable Chodron and the nice pic of the snow-covered Abbey! I’m finding much valuable and useful information in the book. One of the most powerful notions for me is taking responsibility for one’s “buttons” and actively reducing them, instead of passively accepting (and reacting to) external stimuli in an unskillful way. This line really hit home with me:
The less we are attached, for example, to praise and reputation, the less miffed we will become, because our mind will not interpret situations as personal assaults.
Right on the money!
Also I found Chapter 10 (Acceptance and Empowerment) to be great—accepting an undesirable situation is indeed renouncing how one would like that situation to be; thereby subverting the mental rejection and settling in the present. The notion of using “enemies” to practice is new and paradigm-shifting to me—totally contrary to how I (and most folks) have been raised… I love it and believe me, my surroundings give me no shortage of practice fodder!
I’d love to read Open Heart, Clear Mind by Venerable Chodron if it’s available—if not, send whatever you feel would be of use to me (I have Taming the Mind, also). These books make Buddhist methodology practical and useable for me—a billion thank you’s! May you all be happy, healthy, and free of suffering.
In peace,
E. S.
Incarcerated people
Many incarcerated people from all over the United States correspond with Venerable Thubten Chodron and monastics from Sravasti Abbey. They offer great insights into how they are applying the Dharma and striving to be of benefit to themselves and others in even the most difficult of situations.
