Calming Your Angry Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anger and Bring Peace to Your Life

by Jeffrey Brantley MD, Barbara L. Fredrickson PhD (Foreword by)

Overview

Anger is a natural emotion—and a part of what makes us human. But when you lose control of your anger, it can get in the way of meaningful relationships, successful careers, and ultimately, feelings of happiness and enjoyment.

In this highly anticipated book, renowned mindfulness expert and author of Calming Your Anxious Mind Jeff Brantley offers a breakthrough approach using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and compassion practices to help you better handle the anger, fear, and hostile emotions that can wreak havoc at home, work, and in relationships. In addition, you will also learn important self-awareness skills to help you stop overreacting and improve communication with others.

While other self-help books focus on traditional anger management, Brantley offers solutions that give you personal control over the experience of anger in your life. Inside, you’ll discover the three major meditative approaches to soothing anger: stabilizing mind and body through concentrating your attention mindfully; using compassionate attention and reflection to disarm the energy of your anger; and learning to use wise understanding about the impermanent and “conditioned” nature of your angry reactions in order to diminish your vulnerability to anger’s power.

If you have difficulty with anger, you may be quick to blame others or act in aggressive ways. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking can often leave you feeling alone, alienated, and unhappy. If you are ready to make real, lasting changes, this book can provide you with the skills needed to manage and and transform your anger so that you can live a happier, healthier life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608829262
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	05/01/2014
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	1,101,745
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jeffrey Brantley, MD, is professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Duke University Medical Center. He is founder and former director of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program at Duke Integrative Medicine. He has represented the Duke MBSR program in numerous radio, television, and print interviews. He is author of Calming Your Anxious Mind, and coauthor of the Five Good Minutes series.
 


Barbara L. Fredrickson, PhD, is author of Love 2.0, and is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Table of Contents

foreword v

introduction 1

Part 1 the foundation

1 why mindfulness? 19

2 getting to know your anger 39

3 approaching anger mindfully and skillfully 63

4 preparing to practice 81

Part 2 practices for calming your angry mind

5 calming your angry mind by stabilizing mind and body 105

6 calming your angry mind with compassion 127

7 calming your angry mind with wisdom and understanding 151

8 some common questions and concerns about calming your angry mind 175

Part 3 beyond your angry mind

9 you have not fallen out of the universe 199

10 many possibilities-which will you choose? 221

11 the gift of no fear 239

references 251

Interviews

Brantley lives in Durham, NC.

Editorial Reviews

02/03/2014
Chronically angry people suffer loneliness, isolation, shame, and regret; experience dysfunctional interpersonal relationships; and are at increased risk for stress-related illnesses. Brantley’s primer recommends meditation based in mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom so those crippled by anger can eventually “enjoy a happier, kinder, life.” Borrowing broadly from Buddhist tradition and modern Zen master Thich Nhat Han, mindfulness guru Jon Kabat-Zin, emotional intelligence expert Daniel Goleman, and others, the author shows that the best way to learn “to uncouple the ‘thought train’ that carries anger” is to be present in the moment and make a commitment to a daily mindfulness meditation practice. Brantley (Calming Your Anxious Mind) employs the three basic mindfulness skills of intention, attention, and attitude ,and the seven core elements of mindfulness practice—non-judging, non-striving, trust, patience, acceptance, a beginner’s mind, and letting go—as initiation into a personal meditation habit. In time, fear (usually the source of anger) dissipates and self-compassion and understanding emerge. Guided meditations appear throughout, in addition to individual stories, and data from studies on the benefits of mindfulness. Although measured and supportive, the book reads more as a rehash of accepted therapies than a new modality. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Calming Your Angry Mind is a wonderful guide to help you transform your anger through mindfulness, understanding, and compassion. It is filled with many practical and hands-on mindfulness practices that you can bring into your everyday life. This book shows you how to live a life with less anger and more peace.”
—Bob Stahl, PhD, coauthor of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, Living With Your Heart Wide Open, Calming the Rush of Panic, and A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety


“With compassion, clarity, and skill, Dr. Brantley provides a practical guide to dealing with anger productively and, more broadly, an inspirational introduction to the broader practice of mindfulness.”
—Richard M. Jaffe, associate professor in the department of religious studies at Duke University

From the Publisher