Anger - Is it Unspiritual?

[sparklekaz]

Hi everyone,

Sigmund Freud said, "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways." Words that have come to have more meaning as I have grown older. For it has only been through the self work have I done, have I been able to see, just how true these sentiments are.

Human beings are creatures of great passion and feeling. When young, we just do not have the emotional intelligence or self control, to know how to express ourselves calmly. To understand why we feel as we do, and to articulate pain, anger and frustration in a controlled way. Then there are those who are too fearful to stand up for themselves, to speak out, for fear of retribution. We live in a society that frowns upon unbridled emotional outbursts and violent reactions. So as children, we quickly learn what is deemed as acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. So is it any wonder, that that there are so many of us out there, for one reason or another that carry around with them unexpressed emotions.

Children of dysfunctional families or of abusive parents, often carry around a lot of anger within. Being young and vulnerable, are often in situations where they are too afraid to express themselves. Little ones are incredibly sensitive and impressionable. Being frightened of the very people in whose company they should have felt safest and most loved - and not, has to be very damaging to the psyche. Some go on to repeat that cycle with their own children. Others, attracting and being attracted too similar situations within their personal relationships. Some become angry and belligerent, others fearful and people pleasing adults.

Out of all of the emotions that we suppress the most, I believe anger is the most potent; particularly when turned inward. Anger repressed, can become like a boiling volcano, its destructive force when finally erupting causing damage and mayhem all around. Inward and outward. Its clear, that giving a voice to all these hidden feelings and unspoken thoughts, is the way forward to healing. So how does one deal with what is seen as negative emotions like anger. Is anger negative? Or does it depend on how it is expressed? Is it more of a negative thing to suppress it? Those who walk a spiritual path, believe that feeling anger, showing anger is 'un-spiritual'. But is this actually true. Or does it depend on the source, cause or context? Can any part of 'self' be un-spiritual? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Love and light
Kaz

[gruntal]

One might wonder in my legendary secret local meetings what arcane teachings went on there. Less then you think. Actually simple mind set was the biggest perennial. A lot or most of what human beings do or think is done out of fear and ignorance. We were taught to look beyond that. Not surprisingly we bring ulterior motives to the table long before we make any decisions and that is not good.

And what could be more prejudicial then acting out of anger?

Some of the channeled information was nothing less then stunning. "So that was what really happened". " I had no idea". "If I had only known". It would seem if knowledge was infinite then compassion would inevitably follow. But nobody in this state of incarnation knows everything even as much will be kept secret until we are capable of dealing with it in a mature manner.

But I suppose some anger is inevitable. So is hunger and want. Sickness and disease. You can not dispose of anything until you know by experience what is trash. Or experience via memory what is was like to be or feel that way. The only spiritual feeling is love.

It takes many many life times until you stop forgetting that ....

[mojomojo]

What if we did live in a Utopian society, where everyone loved everyone else, those elected to serve our needs actually did, where it was not about profit but serving others, no hunger, no poverty.
Many can not understand why it is not that way now, it possible could be, if enough wanted it.

Then there is the reality of the situation, it most definitely seems a case of we have not evolved enough spiritually, there may be other factors as there always is, nothing is ever simple anymore.

It may be a case of educating the people, to think a certain way, they can not be blamed, life has thought them to think as they do. We could blame evolution, for not keeping everyone on an even keel.

The new ager`s seem to think everything under the sun is spiritual. I often wondered the re-action received as the dread-locked believer hugged the starving African, and told him of the abundance the universe holds.

The primitive brain, is the name right, that part that deals with fight or flight.
Maybe fear causes us to flight, maybe common sense, guess fear could be involved in fight also, but its hard to deny the possibility of anger, a tool for survival, inbuilt by the creator.

But in our evolved state, that is no longer acceptable, anger must be repressed, leading to resentment, even bitterness and on to disease, as we are told by those in the know.

Maybe, we have just gotten far too ahead of ourselves.

[sparklekaz]

Hi George and Robert,

Is anger unspiritual. There seems to be many different views of this within spiritual circles. Some believe it is and that is why people should work hard to rid themselves of it. Just as they would any unhealthy habit. And others believe that anger, is an emotion, just like any other emotion, such as love, compassion and empathy. That it should be honoured and recognized as such. An important part of self. To be whole, means accepting all of what we are. Not breaking ourselves up into acceptable and unacceptable pieces. It is part of what makes us human, and often people do feel justified for feeling it. Particularly when it is connected to inequality. Anger is the energy that when converted into action, can give us a voice and courage to speak out. In this sense, looking back in history, it is often anger at injustice that has led to action for positive change.

So is the point really, that there is healthy anger and unhealthy anger. And as we evolve, we come to understand the difference and address it accordingly. I think we can all agree that repression of emotion is what is unhealthy. That it is this repression, that can cause this violent, unrestrained outpouring. I'm sure we've all been in a position when we have exploded in anger because we have held it in, for fear of making things worse. Only to find that holding back and not speaking out earlier, has made things worse. Has our attempts to control and subdue our passion, been the reason for a what is perceived of as lack luster, watered down attitude that people have today. That they don't speak out often enough and are turning into well behaved sheep? Have we become unbalanced. Not understanding the difference between showing restraint and not seeing when it is right to be strong. Something Robert has spoken about in his previous posts. Bruce Lee someone who is an advocate for self mastery and control has said "Anger should be expressed. - Any anger that is not coming out, flowing freely, will turn into sadism, power drive, stammering, and other means of torturing.” So to me, that says, it is not anger itself that is wrong, but the many different ways it can manifest itself when repressed.

I wonder why it is that some people are more prone to anger. You know, the person in the family or circle of friends that is known to 'have a short fuse'. Is nature then a factor? And if you acknowledge you are an 'angry person' what can someone do to recognize this and learn to control it or defuse it in a healthy way. I agree with Robert, that fight or flight is a built in instinctive mechanism. Put in place to help us survive in a primitive and dangerous world.

But, isn't it true, that for all our so called advancements and civilized living, the world is still a very dangerous place. We may not have to run from sabre toothed tigers, or dangerous neighbouring tribes who want to steal our food and women; but we do live in a world where half of it is safe and the other half definitely isn't. We are vulnerable on the streets (muggings, terrorism), online (cyber crime and trolling) traveling (terrorism and accidents) and to be honest, from each other. As the days are long gone where you lived in communities where everyone knew each other. Who knows who lives next door, and what goes behind closed doors. Is feeling safe anywhere just a false sense of security? I don't know about anyone else, but at the moment with everything that is going on in the world, I feel like the foundations of 'my world are shaking'. So strangely, after giving it some thought, I still think this survival mechanism has an important place in our emotional arsenal. As an energy, how then you do think it can be used/channeled in a positive or negative way?

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

John Lydon of Public Image fame, had a song called, "Anger is an energy."

I know of, as we probably all do, people who have had a very rough beginning in life, these people had a lot of anger buried within, but turned this anger into energy, and used it to make great progress in life, they created a wonderful environment for themselves and their family.

I have seen people with similar circumstances destroy their lives and end up addicts and in prison

If anger controls us, we have a problem, if we turn anger into positive energy, we control it, anger can be a powerhouse of energy, repressed or denied a volcano, waiting to erupt.

[aceofcups]

My Two cents ,, interesting you brought up subject during Aries Cycle ( near Aries Full Moon) ruled by Planet Mars which is said to be ruler of anger energy in personalities. Mars energy if used healthily can be very beneficial as it rules our striving to grow and evolve... Deals with actions and physical activity.. Positively it is self-worth. But that same energy used negatively can give birth to an inflated selfish ego, that demands attention... physically or emotionally. It is Anger or misplaced Anger which can play out in a number of ways.

From an astrological point of view Anger is learning or not learning in some to deal with MARS energy. Mars has a lot to do with our animal desires of our ego. Anger comes out of our ego desire to be or fight for what we want. Anger comes from thwarted desires... not getting or seeing things not how we think or feel things should be.

Many think fears are also the outgrowth of Mars.. but here it is being afraid to act.. weak or thwarted mars energy in a personality.

Mars energy is about competition and energy behind things such as sports or politics.

So the degree of anger and ones attachment to the anger has a lot to do if it is a positive or negative patterns in one's personality.  And how much a problem is for an individual  ...it is not the same for everybody.

Also how ones handles or can't handle anger is a bit different in different people.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Ace,

Great answer, from a very interesting perspective. As you say, in light of the political situation and world stage, there seems to be a lot of universal or collective anger going on at the moment. Injustice, ego and the love of power seen playing out in front of us in a variety of ways. As a side note, I have been experiencing a lot of nightmares. I'm wondering it is all part of the same type of energy. Is anyone else experiencing nightmares, or finding themselves having more of a 'short fuse' than usual?

Love and light
Kaz

[chrisj22]

There's some long, deep posts to this questions (which is great), but to me, anger is a basic human emotion that is predisposed in us for thousands of years we cannot altogether shake, not in our lifetime anyway.

So for me, anger is definitely an emotion that I feel will be within the mind/body, and it is surrendering and accepting that and letting go.

The more one realises they really aren't their minds, stay as present as possible each moment of each day, anger will subside to a minimum and when it does come it will be witnessed as an emotion and not indulged. Be the witness to it.

I have read that if a surge of anger comes so strong and powerful you feel as though you have to scream or rant etc, then do it alone, in your own company and not taking it out on others as it is obviously your own issue.

The 'pressure cooker' analogy is bang on; I think we are all testament to noticing that. Again, it is surrendering and saying 'Okay, this is what is right now' and do not attach any thoughts of anger to match the emotion.

Probably makes no sense what I've just written, ha

[elamras9]

Your posting is really impressive.

[singu]

I am not an expert, below humble comments are my personal opinion based on my experience and understanding. I may be right or wrong. Thanks.

--------------------

Purpose of spiritual practice is to attain spiritual enlightenment (Nirvana) and free from re-birth.

Anger can make a person to yell or do some harm physically or mentally to other person, thereby creating bad karma to himself.

The accrued bad karma should be repaid, so the person would take a rebirth to repay the what he did in the past life.

Even unexpressed anger or emotion is bad, in terms of spirituality. Because unfullfilled desire or emotion make a person to have rebirth again.

This is the reason, why most genuine spiritual discipline asks their followers to give up desires, attachment, anger, lust and develop better character, etc.

Thanks

[anagami]

When you enter a dark place remember:

You cannot turn off the darkness
You can only turn on the light

[donq]

Hi Karen,

I haven't replied this thread because I wanted to see our friends' response.

I believe if the question is "Is anger spiritual?", the answer might be, "No it isn't". It isn't not because spirituality has something to do with pretending not to be angry when we are angry. But it isn't spiritual because every time we let anger win, we will make it grows bigger and bigger (we give it food). More than that, if we look more closer, letting our anger win never make us feel lighter. Maybe better for a while not never lighter. Besides, we might also have to deal with about our guilt later. Not to mention the serious damage our anger created. Just a few words burst out because of our anger might ruin our best friendship, even long time marriage etc. Worse than that anger always comes with physical (re) action, doesn't it?
Anyway, there's also a serious spiritual (especially Buddhist) warning about this: don't grow before you've really grown or don't grow beforehand. If you are still angry, don't pretend that you are not. And I believe that is what Freud said about "Unexpressed emotions" and repression. So the point should be how to accept our angers and how to release them in the right way (not necessary in the spiritual ways). More relaxing, listening to good music, go on vacation etc. are also helpful.
I wonder what if we compare anger to pain? Pain is bad, everyone knows that. But doctors say it's good because it's a warning that something went wrong in/on our bodies. If we ignore our pain, we only are letting it getting worse. So if we accept our anger, and see them as warning that there's something wrong, that is the good start, right?
Let me add something a bit more about how Buddhism sees anger. Why am I angry? Because there's still "I" there. Because there's still ignorance there. Ignorance about what? About the noble truths. Because of this, then that. Because they did this and that to "ME" so "I" am angry. In the final analysis, I am angry not really because they did this and that but because I still had my big ego. If only I could do something with my own ego, then whatever they do to me will lose its meaning.
Sure it's a lot easier said than done.
P.S. Sorry for any error. It's hour and a half after midnight here and I'm very sleepy. :-)