Anger originates from the destructive part of the brain, says Dr Bimal Chhajer, who has written a booklet titled Anger (2013). ‘Most of our sufferings are because of anger, and the product of anger is called hostility, marked by destructive attacking behaviour… Hate, revenge, hostility are all nothing but extreme forms of anger.’ He adds, ‘Anger is the biggest enemy sitting inside you.’Road rage has many aspects: there are people who get mad when there is an obstruction, obstacle, or delay, and they take it out on the person they think is causing these delays. Then there are those at the receiving end, who either become victims or fight back. Regular commuters may get annoyed and angry at a fellow commuter for playing loud music or arguing loudly, or speaking on the phone while driving, angry at those who jostle and push, and furious at those who will not give up their seat for an older person.When someone overtakes you, you get enraged; when your parking space is taken, you are fuming. And, of course, bumper-to-bumper traffic jams leave you exasperated, tired, and perhaps ready to explode. In all of these situations, reactions range from the milder raised eyebrows and sighs, use of expletives, shaking a fist, to the more risky fistfights, slaps, and in extreme cases, even murder.When you commute daily from home to workplace and back, you have a fair idea of the time it takes to do so, give or take a few minutes. So instead of hyperventilating while anticipating a delay, it makes more sense to set off early, just in case there is an interruption en route. If you are part of a carpool, or take the train, bus, or subway, you could listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. If you like to knit, you could do so as a passenger, which is a good way to calm your nerves and engage in fruitful action.I have observed commuters on the Delhi metro take out their prayer beads and chant quietly. Some have their eyes closed, probably napping or meditating. Others read books (difficult to do on the road as it can be bumpy and hard on the eyes). With the explosion of digital technology and OTT platforms, a lot of commuters like to watch their favourite soap or film with their earphones on. In Mumbai, local trains have their share of women (yes, only women) shelling peas or even chopping vegetables to utilise time.Says Thich Nhat Hanh: ‘When you are angry, close your eyes and ears, and return to yourself in order to quell the flames. Smile, even if it takes effort. Smiling relaxes hundreds of tiny muscles, making your face more attractive. Sit wherever you are, and look deeply… Most essential is to water the seed of mindfulness and allow it to arise in your mind consciousness.’To sum up, when overcome with anger, impulsive reaction is what leads to outbursts and violence. Therefore all spiritual masters and psychologists advise deep breathing and to pause and think, and respond, instead of reacting. Here, practices like mindfulness are great enablers, for they help one calm down, reflect, and avoid escalating unpleasant exchanges and arguments.— Excerpted from ‘Anger: Why We Get Angry and How We Should Respond to Provocation’, with permission from Aleph