Thank you Heidi, what a great share! I loved the Ravana story and Ramesh’s words.
I resonate with Wayne’s view on anger. I have experienced that the energy of anger feels pulsating, alive, creative - it begets action, change, shifts and expression. In the moment, it’s real, it’s true, it’s what I am.
So grateful for these reflections and your posts 🙏🏻💜
Thank you, Monica! I love how much I am learning about anger- even from just writing this post! In my early years I was taught that anger was horrible and needed to be suppressed and that shadow has been with me since then. I love your words for it- pulsating, alive, creative!
Who's controlling the re/actions? Is it *ever* in one's control?
Where does the anger arise from? Whose anger is it?
Anger is energy. We label it anger when it's really the roiling of the gunas (qualities of Nature).
Whatever happens as a result of that energy uprising has never been in anyone's control.
Also, too, the idea of cause and effect is crushed with the understanding that everything is occurring simultaneously and there is only the appearance that so-and-so's apparent action caused the anger.
All that being said, in daily living, I have zero problem with anger. It's the same as any other emotion. What remains is the preference in a moment to not be in a state, which is fine, so long as there is acceptance of total powerlessness. In contrast, saying "don't be angry" denies the truth of experience in the Now. That creates the real problem...and suffering.
One might even learn to enjoy their anger! Like grief, melancholy, boredom... Now there's the realm of mastery!
Hah- Yes I couched the control part with ‘often’. Should have known you would catch that. Never is a better word. “Anger is energy”- such a good point. It is only our nattering thinking mind giving it a rating. And no cause and effect- it makes the story so powerless!
How often are we told “Don’t be angry” either directly or through cultural signals?
But- enjoy the anger. I can get behind that!
Thank you for your insights, Erin. Appreciate all your support!
In another path (Christian) there is the story of Jesus turning over the tables of the money lenders in anger (or dramatic protest) that they were defiling the temple with their greed and corruption. Though my anger (like Teri’s) sometimes is a cover for grief, I appreciate the view that it can be clarifying that we see something that needs to be changed. I agree with you that many of us (myself included) have been taught to stuff it down. Another thought provoking post!
Thank you, Katharine. Good point about Jesus. I have always thought of him as more of a turn the other cheek type of guy. Yes, anger as a message that something needs to be changed and often accompanied by grief. I wish I could have seen this more clearly earlier on in life. It may have reduced the shame I used to feel when anger came up. And probably would have shortened the time I stayed angry. I appreciate your comments!❤️
So appropriate to have this article this morning. I woke up angry. I just couldn’t place why. Was it something someone said last night, was it the awful state I feel the country is in, or Is it my inability to make a difference to any of it? Maybe all of it. what resonates for me is it is okay and appropriate to have anger. I think for me what is under it is sadness and that is very clarifying. As usual, you make a huge difference. Xo
Thank you, Teri! I’m glad this resonated with you. Anger comes and goes and then we have our stories about why. You are right- anger happens! It was of many emotions we experience. I like Wayne’s definition of suffering- the gap between the way it is and the way we think it should be. Something releases and clarifies when we acknowledge what is happening. Love your comments!
Thank you Heidi, what a great share! I loved the Ravana story and Ramesh’s words.
I resonate with Wayne’s view on anger. I have experienced that the energy of anger feels pulsating, alive, creative - it begets action, change, shifts and expression. In the moment, it’s real, it’s true, it’s what I am.
So grateful for these reflections and your posts 🙏🏻💜
Thank you, Monica! I love how much I am learning about anger- even from just writing this post! In my early years I was taught that anger was horrible and needed to be suppressed and that shadow has been with me since then. I love your words for it- pulsating, alive, creative!
I appreciate your comments so much🙏💝
I love the story of Ravana! 👹
A few reflections...and a nondual perspective...
Who's controlling the re/actions? Is it *ever* in one's control?
Where does the anger arise from? Whose anger is it?
Anger is energy. We label it anger when it's really the roiling of the gunas (qualities of Nature).
Whatever happens as a result of that energy uprising has never been in anyone's control.
Also, too, the idea of cause and effect is crushed with the understanding that everything is occurring simultaneously and there is only the appearance that so-and-so's apparent action caused the anger.
All that being said, in daily living, I have zero problem with anger. It's the same as any other emotion. What remains is the preference in a moment to not be in a state, which is fine, so long as there is acceptance of total powerlessness. In contrast, saying "don't be angry" denies the truth of experience in the Now. That creates the real problem...and suffering.
One might even learn to enjoy their anger! Like grief, melancholy, boredom... Now there's the realm of mastery!
Love your posts, Heidi!
Hah- Yes I couched the control part with ‘often’. Should have known you would catch that. Never is a better word. “Anger is energy”- such a good point. It is only our nattering thinking mind giving it a rating. And no cause and effect- it makes the story so powerless!
How often are we told “Don’t be angry” either directly or through cultural signals?
But- enjoy the anger. I can get behind that!
Thank you for your insights, Erin. Appreciate all your support!
In another path (Christian) there is the story of Jesus turning over the tables of the money lenders in anger (or dramatic protest) that they were defiling the temple with their greed and corruption. Though my anger (like Teri’s) sometimes is a cover for grief, I appreciate the view that it can be clarifying that we see something that needs to be changed. I agree with you that many of us (myself included) have been taught to stuff it down. Another thought provoking post!
Thank you, Katharine. Good point about Jesus. I have always thought of him as more of a turn the other cheek type of guy. Yes, anger as a message that something needs to be changed and often accompanied by grief. I wish I could have seen this more clearly earlier on in life. It may have reduced the shame I used to feel when anger came up. And probably would have shortened the time I stayed angry. I appreciate your comments!❤️
So appropriate to have this article this morning. I woke up angry. I just couldn’t place why. Was it something someone said last night, was it the awful state I feel the country is in, or Is it my inability to make a difference to any of it? Maybe all of it. what resonates for me is it is okay and appropriate to have anger. I think for me what is under it is sadness and that is very clarifying. As usual, you make a huge difference. Xo
Thank you, Teri! I’m glad this resonated with you. Anger comes and goes and then we have our stories about why. You are right- anger happens! It was of many emotions we experience. I like Wayne’s definition of suffering- the gap between the way it is and the way we think it should be. Something releases and clarifies when we acknowledge what is happening. Love your comments!
I LOVE this post. So much to think about and in these times so on point! Thank you Heidi.❤️
Thanks for commenting, Catherine! Yes, there’s a lot going on. I am so grateful to be engaging in this conversation.💗