FREE online courses on Handling Our Own Aggression & Anger - Level IV
Cognitive processes involved in reducing aggression - Love
The idea is simple: We have a choice to love or to hate and
fear (fear is really a cry for love). For peace of mind choose love and be
concerned with giving, not getting. Through loving forgiveness we can avoid
judging others and eliminate our own guilt. We believe the world makes us upset;
but really, we (our thoughts) make the world. So, we can change the world by
changing our thoughts--from fear or hateful thoughts to loving thoughts. We
can't hurt others without first hurting ourselves (thinking bad about
ourselves), so give up your attack thoughts.
Do not judge, have only tolerant, understanding thoughts. It's your choice: love
or fear.
Accumulate logical and moral arguments against aggression and
for love. Psychologists apparently believe rational arguments are powerless
against emotions as powerful as anger.
"such arguments probably would not significantly curtail
aggressive behavior, no matter how sound, no matter how convincing." Such
pessimism may account for the lack of effort with our children to curtail
violence. Doesn't it seem strange that humans can learn the malicious, vile,
sick, destructive ideas in racial and sexual stereotypes but we can't learn
logical, cogent reasons for not abusing, slandering, or cheating on someone?
Many people have become vegetarians and pacifists, how do we explain them?
Didn't they hear and accept the arguments against killing animals and then
change themselves? Are arguments against killing and mistreating humans less
persuasive?
