Sacred Anger: How to Work With Rage in Uncertain Times

By Carolanne Wright

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

When faced with injustice, most of us have experienced that unmistakable feeling of outrage. There’s certainly plenty of material to choose from — GMOs slipped into the food supply, planetary destruction, governmental and corporate corruption, police shootings, oil spills, mafia-like pharmaceutical companies. The list could go on forever. And while most spiritual traditions largely classify anger as damaging and unskillful, one Buddhist teacher is taking the road less traveled by exploring the beneficial aspects of those times when we see red.

“Don’t Worry, Be Angry”

“If we aim to engage destructive social structures, as we must, our efforts will bring us into direct relationship with anger and outrage. At its worst, anger burns us up, injures others, or, when we repress it, collapses us into depression. In the spiritual realm, it can also become passive aggression, which either internalizes as the hyper-energized inner critic or projects out onto those who are “not following the rules.” ~ Thanissara, cofounder of Dharmagiri Insight Meditation Center

One doesn’t need to be a full-blown activist in today’s world to feel angry about the mess we’ve made. With bad news around every corner, sometimes it feels like a Herculean feat not to slip into a permanent depression, or outwardly into a homicidal rage. Could there be a middle way, one where we aren’t suppressing nor acting out our anger? A place where we can work within the fierce heat, cutting through all the superfluous garbage to the true heart of the matter?

Thanissara, a Buddhist teacher in South Africa, believes so.

In the article, “Don’t Worry, Be Angry”, she addresses how anger can “clarify and energize our commitment to social change.” She thinks women in particular are conditioned by society to be nice, pretty, soft, enabling, accommodating — and ruthlessly shamed if they dare express anger. When women suppress their rage, however, they become manipulative, resentful, muted, frustrated, damaged and damaging. And yet, these very same women have a jewel within their midst, if only it were to be recognized. The energy of anger, when distilled into clarity and wisdom, burns away the junk of self-seeking fears and desires. It cuts through the attachment of wanting only calm and pleasant states. This holds true for both men and women.

CONTINUE READING:

Previous articles by Carolanne Wright:

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• Enhance Spiritual, Mental and Physical Well-being with a Pineal Gland Detox

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