MENTALHEALTH.INFOLABMED.COM Have you ever been so furious that you lost control and uttered negative words you later deeply regretted?

Or perhaps you’ve broken dietary rules, leading to detrimental health consequences?

If these scenarios resonate with you, then this book is precisely what you need to read.

Introducing David J. Lieberman's Masterpiece

David J. Lieberman, an internationally recognized authority in human behavior and interpersonal relationships, penned an extraordinary work.

Its original title, *Never Get Angry Again*, has been thoughtfully translated and published by Bentara Aksara Cahaya as *The Psychology of Emotion*.

The Core of Emotional Management

This remarkable book delves into the secrets of managing human emotions.

It aims to equip individuals with the ability to remain calm and collected in every conceivable situation.

The book’s content is thoughtfully structured into seven distinct parts, encompassing thirty engaging discussion topics.

The initial sections of the book expertly explore the fundamental reasons why individuals might experience such intense anger that they completely lose self-control.

The Three Competing Forces: Soul, Ego, and Body

The author meticulously explains that humans are driven by three primary forces, which frequently find themselves in opposition.

These powerful forces are identified as the soul, the ego, and the body.

The soul inherently desires to act with integrity and correctness.

Conversely, the ego constantly seeks validation, wanting to be perceived as right, and maintains an exclusively self-focused perspective.

The body, distinct from both, simply yearns to be free from these internal struggles.

It persistently urges humans toward comfort and pleasure, manifesting in behaviors such as excessive sleep or overeating.

The ego further exacerbates these impulses, for instance, by pushing us to acquire items far beyond our financial means.

In stark contrast, the soul is oriented towards making choices that are fundamentally right, aligning with morality and one’s inner conscience.

Navigating the Inner Battle for True Goodness

Lieberman articulates with clarity the condition where the body is dominated by the ego.

In such a state, actions are primarily driven by the desire to *appear* good, rather than being inherently good.

However, when the orientation of the soul becomes more dominant, individuals are empowered to engage in actions that are genuinely good, moving beyond mere appearances.

Strategies for Emotional Freedom and Ego Management

The author then commendably transitions into discussing psychological strategies.

These strategies are designed to help us liberate ourselves from the shackles of ego-driven emotions.

According to Lieberman, the struggle against the ego is an incessant battle.

Therefore, humans must consistently apply the recommended strategies to manage their lives more effectively.

A Challenging Yet Rewarding Read

Engaging with this book demands a high degree of focus, particularly during the first half of its discussions.

According to the reviewer, reading this book can be likened to cycling uphill through a challenging, mountainous terrain.

Initially, the book’s concepts are relatively straightforward and easy to grasp, especially in the opening chapters.

However, as the discussion progresses, the information presented becomes more intricate and challenging to assimilate.

This complexity is particularly true for readers less familiar with psychological or neuroscience terminology.

Yet, readers need not despair, much like the analogy of the uphill climb.

After navigating the demanding ascent, one inevitably encounters a downhill path, allowing for effortless progress without requiring maximum exertion.

Unraveling Complex Concepts: The "Aha!" Moments

In the chapters approaching the conclusion of the book, previously isolated pieces of information begin to converge.

They seamlessly weave into a cohesive, interconnected understanding.

This synthesis often leads readers to an illuminating “aha!” moment, realizing the profound message the author intended to convey.

The author proposes several powerful strategies for effectively managing emotions.

He asserts that every human possesses emotions, which is natural.

However, these emotions demand careful management to prevent them from erupting and ultimately causing self-harm.

Mastering Conflict: Five Responses and the Path to Healthier Expression

The book identifies five distinct ways individuals typically confront conflict.

  • One involves accepting the conflict.
  • Another is to actively avoid it.
  • A third approach is to surrender to or suppress it.
  • The fourth is to directly fight against it.
  • Finally, one might choose to withdraw entirely.

According to Lieberman, the most constructive and healthy response is to accept and actively manage conflict.

This approach emphasizes not allowing emotions to dictate one’s reaction.

Instead, it advocates for a rational, objective, and well-considered choice of the most appropriate response.

The author lucidly explains these stages, providing a clear roadmap.

The Silent Killer: Unexpressed Resentment

Lieberman also highlights that accumulated resentment is the most significant destroyer of any relationship.

He describes it as a form of “frozen anger” patiently awaiting its culmination point to explode.

Consequently, the author stresses the imperative of expressing emotions in the most effective and healthiest ways possible.

A Note on Translation: "Self-Esteem" vs. "Self-Worth"

Readers opting for the translated version by Bentara Aksara Cahaya might encounter some initial confusion regarding the term “harga diri,” which appears frequently throughout the book.

The reviewer initially experienced this same perplexity.

However, upon re-reading the original English version, it became clear that “harga diri” was a direct translation of “self-esteem.”

While technically accurate in translation, the reviewer suggests that “self-esteem” would be more precisely conveyed as “penghargaan diri” (self-regard or self-worth) rather than “harga diri” (literally “self-price” or “self-value”).

Who Should Read This Book? Impact Across Professions

This book comes highly recommended for all audiences, including judges and members of the judiciary.

Within a professional context, this book offers invaluable insights into the psychology of human emotions.

It equips readers to better understand, accept, and effectively manage the inevitable conflicts that arise.

Furthermore, it provides guidance on establishing healthy boundaries and appropriately responding to those who transgress them.

Additionally, the book offers pathways to formulating wise policies and decisions.

Wisdom in Policy and Judgment

According to the author, unwise choices or policies are heavily influenced by skewed perspectives, poor emotional health, and a disregard for logic.

Conversely, truly wise policies are profoundly shaped by balanced perspectives, robust emotional health, and the diligent application of rationality and objectivity.

For judges, specifically, this book serves as a profound guide.

It illuminates how to adopt a perspective free from emotional entanglements.

This liberation enables them to be more objective and rational in examining, adjudicating, and ruling on the cases presented before them.

Conclusion: A Path to Greater Control and Serenity

Ultimately, *The Psychology of Emotion* offers a transformative journey.

It empowers readers to achieve greater emotional control and enduring serenity in their lives.