Understanding & Transmuting Anger - Pulled from a Podcast Episode / In-Person Journaling Session
We’re going to come at this with a lot of balanced energy. I’m sorry if this feels uncomfortable but we do have to look at anger, as it shows up in our day to day lives.
A lot of people don’t allow us to be angry. We’re “Angry black women.” Or just angry women in general. We’re often seen as hysterical, which isn’t right.
Let me be clear. There’s nothing inherently wrong with being angry:
It’s an emotion just like any of the others.
However, spiritual teachers often say that there’s no place for anger.
Anger is a sign: a valid signal of boundary violations, a lack of fairness, or moral injustice.
Anger is a shield for fear, sadness, or a feeling of not being heard or respected.
If I ignore this sign, for the sake of not being angry - what does this do to me? Does it rot my soul? Am I betraying my own feelings and intuition?
There’s a difference between feeling angry and acting on our angry emotions. That’s where the trouble lies - in ignoring the feeling or acting upon it in dangerous ways.
Buddhism views anger (dveṣa or patigha) as a destructive, poisonous mental state that clouds clarity, causes deep personal suffering, and ruins both the angry person and others. So maybe anger isn’t necessary the greatest spiritual state to be in.
Today, I am playing into both sides of this spectrum: the justification of anger and the personal, spiritual need to always let it go. What are your thoughts on this?
Journal Prompts
Think of something that angered you recently. Was there a softer, quieter emotion underneath?
Think of something you’re angry about. What are you afraid will happen if you choose to lay it down and walk away?
What is a project, a personal goal, or a creative outlet that has been stagnant and could benefit from this sudden burst of fierce, passionate energy? How can you use your anger to fuel something?
