Temper

A student came to a Zen Teacher and said, "Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?"

"You have something very strange," the Teacher answered. "Let me see what you have."

"Just now I cannot show it to you," the student answered.

"When can you show it to me?" the Teacher asked.

"It arises unexpectedly," the student answered.

"Then," the Teacher said, "it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time. When you were born you did not have it, and your parents did not give it to you. Go. Sit in stillness and think about what I've said."