Anger - helpful or hurtful?...

"Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, possessions - we cannot be free."

- Hanh Nhat Thich, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy and Liberation

Can't shake those angry feelings? Try this Buddha technique.... (also from Hanh Nhat Thich, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching)

1) Recognition - If we are angry, we say "I know that anger is in me."
2) Acceptance - When we are angry, we do not deny it. We accept what is present.
3) Embracing - We hold our anger in our two arms like a mother holding her crying baby. Our mindfulness embraces our emotion, and this alone can calm our anger and ourselves.
4) Looking deeply - When we are calm enough, we can look deeply to understand what has brought this anger to be, what is causing our baby's discomfort.
5) Insight - The fruit of looking deeply is understanding the many causes and conditions, primary and secondary, that have brought about our anger. Our anger was triggered... We reflect like this until we have some insights into what has caused our suffering. With insight, we know what to do and what not to do to change the situation.

Angry over stuff in the past?....

"Before you live a part of you has to die. You have to let go of what could have been, how you should have acted and what you wish you would have said differently. You have to accept that you can't change the past experiences, opinions of others at that moment in time or outcomes from their choices or yours. When you finally recognize that truth then you will understand the true meaning of forgiveness of yourself and others. From this point you will finally be free."

- Shannon L. Alder

My favourite therapist says anger is an essential emotion because it reveals critical information. Anger lets us know when our boundaries have been crossed and that we need to act our own behalf. Anger, if utilized in a productive and healthy way he says, allows us to effectively manage our precious health and well-being.

Blessings,

Chatgirl