Holding On To Anger

[sparklekaz]

There is a quote by the Buddha which has always been meaningful to me "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned". How can we let go of anger?

[jennylynn]

Hi Kaz: not always an easy thing to do, and I'm sure that there are as many ways as there are people. Sometimes counting to 10 before we speak gives us time to do a quick reflection on our reaction: sometimes putting ourselves into the other person's shoes gives us a better understanding.
I'm sure that there are times in life, when getting angry can be helpful to our development--it spurs us on to do something that perhaps we may have felt unable to do prior to the anger.

To me...anger is a waste of energy...can I change the outcome of the situation if I allow feelings of anger to cloud my judgement?

Can I see beyond the moment in question to the bigger picture?

Am I judging someone by the anger that they portray? Is this really them?

Am I angry at myself for allowing myself to get angry? Does this make me a "bad" Christian?

Please know that I am not suggesting that we suppress our feelings in any way. When we get angry, there is a cause for it. If we repress these feelings, and pretend that they are not there, then I think that we only accummulate negative feelings, and perhaps let them out in small outbursts that surprise whoever is on the receiving end. (and it is usually not the person who made us angry, but rather one that we love who bears the brunt of our feelings).

Usually I ask myself the following: 1) am I angry at the person or at the situation?
2) will my anger be beneficial to me (growth)?
3) will my anger hurt someone else
4) will there be a positive change
because of my anger?
and I'm sure that you can add to the list.

I love Buddha's quote that we are the ones to be burned by the anger...how true that is.

Thanks for the post...it has made me search myself.

love and light

jennylynn

[bluestarman1]

That Buddha, what a guy.

I believe that we, and only we, are entirely responsible for all our emotions, including anger. A friend asked me once why I never seem to get angry. I gave him this example: If someone calls me a no-good low-life jerk and I'm not, then that person is mistaken. Why get angry at someone who is simply wrong? If someone calls me a no-good low-life jerk and I am, then it's up to me to decide how I am going to react. If I choose anger than I may retaliate verbally or physically. But if I choose to accept the fact that the other person is right, than I can change myself or continue being a no-good low-life jerk. Either choice is mine alone.

[cyberangel]

My answer to the question would be: In order to let go of anger we must allow ourselves to forgive!

This is one of my biggest flaws my friends and often lets me down. I absolutely hate to hurt others as it really does hurt me more but in saying that I often hurt others by letting my emotions get the better of me.

This is a daily battle within me. I do try to hold in the anger but this often makes me feel worse and some poor unsuspecting soul will no doubt bare the blunt of it

Then there are times when I am provoked and I am only too willing to stand up to the challenge. I wish with all my heart I could control this as more often than not I feel so stupid after and guilty. I do try to explain my reaction but sometimes I find I end up just adding more fuel to the fire.

I hope in time I will be able to put into practice my own as well as all your answers to this question.

Thank you all for providing food for thought and the different possible solutions and wisdom. You are teaching me (and others I'm sure) so much and I really can't thank you enough. L & L

[jesusrose]

When we accept things, we let them go don't we? When we let them go we can begin to let go of the things that we've seen or experienced. To the point where we no longer even get angry in the first place

[Floraloak]

Anger arises when we feel we’ve been wronged. It often comes out of righteousness, fear and judgment. Anger gives us a false sense of power, which can manifest itself in many ways such as giving us a sense of entitlement to criticize, put down, or even resent others.

The other major reason we get angry is when we don’t get what we wanted and then rather than taking responsibility we blame others (including God and even objects). Anger drains energy and life force. Prolonged anger can leave us feeling fatigued, frail, unhappy and worn out.

Anger can however, be a catalyst for change. If something in life is not working and we find ourselves being angry, it allows an opportunity for change and transformation.

Unresolved anger contributes to physical ailments such as hypertension, inflammation, sinusitis, tumors, cancers, PMS, pneumonia, ulcers, etc. so releasing anger becomes very important.

To release anger, place your hands on the part of your body where you feel anger most intensely. Breathe into that area for a few moments, while allowing any emotion to rise to the surface with little resistance. Then relax your hands and say :

Divine Healing Intelligence; pour the orange-red flame of purification into every aspect of my being which is holding onto anger, hatred, hurt, and thoughts of revenge. Please dissolve all feelings of fear, numbness, rage and judgment. Allow me to find new healing ways to express release and let go of anger. Help me to realize that anger not who I am; it’s an emotion I have bought into and have been afraid to let go of because it gave me a false sense of power. Now I am ready for something better, softer and healthier. I am willing to transform anger into peace. Thank you.

Repeat the word ‘CLEAR’ several times until you feel lighter.

Observe the orange-red flame move through your body, mind, emotions and energy field and begin to dissolve all negative thoughts, words, feeling, memories, and images of anger, rage, superiority, judgment, numbness, and fear.

Then to bring peace into you say the following:

Divine Healing Intelligence, I call on the blue ray of peace and tranquility. Please bathe me in your healing light of serenity, calm and stillness. Soothe all irritation and anger in my consciousness and transform it into enthusiasm, balance and passion for life. Allow me to find freedom in the stillness of my mind. Guide me to appreciate my life and grow to be more dynamic, vibrant and energetic. Thank you.

Repeat the word ‘CLEAR’ sever time until you feel lighter.

Recognize what you are angry about and be willing to lit go. Then focus on peace. Find time for stillness and quiet where you can allow inspiration to flow to you.

God bless,
Silvia

[rosesrblu111]

May 26, 2012 23:34:04 GMT sparklekaz said:

There is a quote by the Buddha which has always been meaningful to me "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned". How can we let go of anger?

By forgiving? letting go of the anger and hate and when it happens it feels so different within you within your heart. it's euphoric...