FREE online courses on Handling Our Own Aggression & Anger - What were his
self-control techniques
Avoid frustrating situations by noting where you got angry in
the past.
Reduce your anger by taking time, focusing on other emotions
(pleasure, shame, or fear), avoiding weapons of aggression, and attending to
other matters.
Respond calmly to an aggressor with empathy or mild,
unprovocative comments or with no response at all.
If angry, concentrate on the undesirable consequences of
becoming aggressive. Tell yourself: "Why give them the satisfaction of knowing
you are upset?" or "It isn't worth being mad over."
Reconsider the circumstances and try to understand the
motives or viewpoint of the other person.
Train yourself to be empathic with others; be tolerant of
human weakness; be forgiving (ask yourself if you haven't done something as
bad); and follow the "great lesson of mankind: to do as we would be done by."
Remarkable! Seneca was clear and detailed. He covered the
behavioral, skills, unconscious and especially the cognitive-attitudinal aspects
of self-help. He did no research; he merely observed life around him. Now, if we
can add research to those ancient "clinical observations," we may be able to
make more progress in the next 2000 years. By the way, Seneca also advocated
child-rearing practices and humanistic education designed to build self-esteem,
model non-aggressive responses, and reward constructive non-violent behavior.
Sadly, an angry political leader killed him.
