How to Channel Anger?
Art by Charbak Dipta
When we learn about leading a spiritual life, there are some recurring themes we come across:
How to control one’s anger and desires.
How to show more empathy and kindness.
How to maintain balance and harmony.
Consistently reading about these themes, we may mistake being spiritual for being "nice." It may lead to the misconception that to be spiritual, one should:
Suppress their anger
Always be kind and humble.
Avoid getting into conflicts at all costs.
But life isn't always a smooth sail. There are challenges we face, where putting on a 'nice' mask does more harm than good.
Here's how 'niceness' can often divert us from our path of spirituality:
1. Lack of Authenticity: Excessive "niceness" can overshadow genuine feelings and thoughts, contradicting the importance of being true to ourselves and others.
2. Passivity: Being overly "nice" leads to avoiding problems, effectively using spirituality to sidestep unresolved emotional issues.
3. Lack of Growth: Overly "nice" individuals might avoid challenges, hindering personal and spiritual growth.
4. Fear of Conflict: Avoidance of conflict by being too "nice" can limit deep conversations and spiritual insights.
5. Inability to Set Boundaries: Overly "nice" individuals might avoid setting boundaries, draining emotional energy and impeding spiritual growth.
True spirituality is not about putting on the mask of 'niceness.' It's about being honest and true with ourselves and others.
Let’s explore what anger is, and how do we process this strong emotion when we feel it.
Anger is not inherently bad. It's a strong emotion we experience when we perceive:
Threats to our safety
Unfulfilled needs
Breach of our boundaries
Once we spot the spark of our anger, we must understand its fuel.
Is it a moral violation? An unmet need?
Understanding the roots of our anger allows us to address it with wisdom. With this understanding, we use our reason to decide our course of action.
Sometimes, the path requires calmness; other times, it calls for firmness and setting clear boundaries.
Consider a situation where you witness persistent unfair treatment or injustice. This could be towards happening to you, or others. Channeling your anger constructively could involve:
Advocating for your needs.
Voicing your concerns, while being mindful of others.
Mobilizing collective action to challenge and change the unjust status quo.
Actively responding based on sacred values this way uses your anger not as a destructive force, but as a catalyst for positive transformation.
Conversely, the origin of our anger may lie in our own shadows or past traumas. During these times, self-compassion and self-reflection are crucial. We need to seek help from God to provide guidance to heal and evolve spiritually.
Thus, anger doesn't always distance us from our spiritual journey. Rather, it can become a compass for self-growth when navigated wisely.
Observe your anger.
Explore its roots.
Use Wisdom and Reason to make decisions.
And make decisions that are purposeful and of service to Divine values. In doing so, we step closer to God, seeking guidance and mercy on this journey of life.
