“From a Buddhist point of view, human beings aren’t intrinsically aggressive; we are inherently peaceful.  This is sometimes hard to believe.  When we’re angry or upset, our untrained mind becomes belligerent and we routinely strike out at others.  We imagine that reacting aggressively to the object of our emotion will resolve our pain.  Throughout history we have used this approach over and over again.  Striking out when we’re in pain is clearly one way we perpetuate misery.  With a trained mind, a stable mind, a mind with a larger motivation than its own comfort, we find another way to work with difficulties of daily life.  When we’re in a difficult situation, we maintain our seat.  Instead of perpetuating misery by acting out aggression, we learn to use the rough spots to spark the courage to proceed on our journey.  Eventually we may actually be able to turn the mind of anger into the energy of love and compassion.” ~ Sakyong Mipham, Turning the Mind Into An Ally (Page 26)