The Cow in the Parking Lot: A Zen Approach to Overcoming Anger

“One of the best books I've ever read on anger. It’s lucid, comprehensive, and filled with valuable insights.” —Dr. Howard C. Cutler, coauthor with the Dalai Lama of The Art of Happiness

Don’t get mad. Get calm.

Using simple Buddhist principles and applying them in a way that is easy for non-Buddhists to understand and put into practice, Leonard Scheff and Susan Edmiston have created an interactive book that helps readers change perspective, step-by-step, so that they can replace the anger in their lives with newfound happiness. Based on the Transforming Anger workshop Scheff created, The Cow in the Parking Lot shows how anger is based on unmet demands, from the reasonable (we want love from our partner) to the irrational (we want respect from a total stranger) to the impossible (we want someone to fix everything in our life).

The authors show how, once we identify our real unmet demands, we can dissolve the anger.

We learn to laugh at ourselves, a critical early step in changing angry behavior. We learn how to deal with the anger of others, and ultimately how to transform anger into compassion.

And finally, we learn the liberating truth: Only you can make yourself angry.

“The Cow in the Parking Lot provides many insights and revelations about reducing anger and creating greater happiness in your life.” —John Tarrant, author of Bring Me Rhinoceros and Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life

“One of the best titles available on anger management.” —California Bookwatch

“A fresh approach to the perennial issue of anger.” —Library Journal

© 2024 Workman Publishing Company (Ebook): 9780761161981

Release date

Ebook: 24 September 2024