tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post2047287072929423046..comments2023-06-22T08:49:02.798-07:00Comments on Yogic Muse: Anger Awaits InstructionBrooks Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789430862542763946noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-30472537261329489362010-03-25T12:35:22.611-07:002010-03-25T12:35:22.611-07:00This is beautiful and so timely. A friend blogged ...This is beautiful and so timely. A friend blogged about her experiences with anger last week (she, like me, is an animal-rights activist), and it brought up a lot of powerful emotions within me. Anger has saved me from crippling depression. When grief threatened to overwhelm me, somehow this tiny wanting-to-survive part of me reared up and started breathing fire. Anger kept me going. We're taught, especially as women, that anger is an inappropriate response, that it's unseemly. I have learned to realize how constructive and purifying it can be, as long as I try not to let it burn me while it's cleansing away all that internal junk.<br /><br />All that aside, I have tight IT bands and my hips need strengthening, so Virabhadrasana I is a challenge!<br /><br />P.S. Thanks for your kind words on my "Femivore's Dilemma" post!Vegan Burnouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00647418989761380056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-27357206201316601082010-03-24T15:41:50.457-07:002010-03-24T15:41:50.457-07:00Brooks you are directly on target with this IMHO. ...Brooks you are directly on target with this IMHO. This is exactly what we need to do with the firy energy of anger...re-direct it towards healing.All emotions are well, you've heard this I'm sure "energy in motion". I love that the form of Warrior 1 is a grounded state that points in a particular direction...how awesomely wise is that? Pretty super cool I think...as others have stated this is not easy...but I do believe it is possible...it actually has worked for me at times...not always...but when it works, I feel energized and strong and have been able to take a stand for things that truly were good and healing.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15349928247626849914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-48479572732979599232010-03-23T07:24:55.273-07:002010-03-23T07:24:55.273-07:00Brooks--I love your exploration of anger. For me, ...Brooks--I love your exploration of anger. For me, I've learned that it is very important to recognize anger for what it is, instead of denial or embarrassment or guilt or other places it wants to go to. I like to think that when I experience anger, I can analyze it, see where it really came from, deal with it in some acknowledging way (verbal or written) and then move on. Sometimes the anger coming out hurts others and one can apologize for the hurting but not for the anger. This can be a source of conflict between humans, and I think the source of some fear. I'm getting ahead of myself but I did want to acknowledge my appreciation for your post. Thanks.Kay Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09159238020825059756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-38444109489996704232010-03-22T18:47:09.180-07:002010-03-22T18:47:09.180-07:00suburban yogini, everything yoga, and myelf have a...suburban yogini, everything yoga, and myelf have all written about anger very recently... i think something is in the air!Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11201118295945904801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-79066642450145950502010-03-22T03:48:48.067-07:002010-03-22T03:48:48.067-07:00well written & thought provoking post, Brooks!...well written & thought provoking post, Brooks!<br /><br />I really love the image of Virabhadra rising up, but awaiting orders from Shiva... I think that anger can serve a purpose, existing for a reason, and the image of an inner warrior is an interesting way of framing it. My anger rises up out of an imbalance (often involving fear) and as you pointed out, anger has an energy all its own. Sometimes that energy is useful in motivating us to protect ourselves. I think part of using the energy of anger wisely is identifying the underlying fear and then (maybe this is where compassion comes in) determining how to go forth...<br /><br />thanks for the ponderings!Elizehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420366602608690469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-14903940579328605932010-03-21T23:18:12.543-07:002010-03-21T23:18:12.543-07:00*nods head in agreement*
Personally I think anyon...*nods head in agreement*<br /><br />Personally I think anyone who says they don't get angry is either a very enlightened being or lying. And even some enlightened beings may choose to express anger because why shouldn't they if it seems appropriate at the time. But there's a difference between anger and the violent response most of us have directly afterwards - the one that causes us to think or say or do things we regret.<br /><br />I am now working with the concept that "feelings are information", stuff we are supposed to read and interpret but not hang on to. Including anger. Of course, I'm a long way off that but I like the idea very much. And also, I think it could be true.<br /><br />At some point very soon, I need to get a post written down about anger, too. From some of my recent workshop/retreat activities.<br /><br />So much to write, so little time...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-23852012796893609542010-03-21T22:07:35.203-07:002010-03-21T22:07:35.203-07:00Great post - thank you. I've been thinking ab...Great post - thank you. I've been thinking about my relationship with anger lately too. I'm just finally getting through the March issue of Shambhala Sun Magazine, and the other day I read an article in that issue that I thought provided a lot of insight regarding anger. It's called, "The Hidden Treasure of Anger," by Polly Young-Eisendrath; if interested, you can read it at http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3500&Itemid=0.Tiffany Hutchingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284860922524182499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-48314285706478966182010-03-21T19:46:42.844-07:002010-03-21T19:46:42.844-07:00I particularly love this idea that when we feel an...I particularly love this idea that when we feel anger, it can lead us to good places where we make positive decisions. Often, I feel like releasing the anger clears the path for a more positive, reasonable way of looking at things.<br /><br />The anger is kind of an illusion, as you, Eco Yogini and Dr. Jay all say, fear and anger go hand in hand. What we are afraid of is being powerless. When we realize we have the power to do, the anger can be more fleeting and less hurtful.RBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11229168317354334361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-86613984418104624532010-03-21T15:57:18.774-07:002010-03-21T15:57:18.774-07:00Hmmm...anger's an emotion I've had a diffi...Hmmm...anger's an emotion I've had a difficult relationship with...from repressing it out of a deep sense of helplessness (based in fear) to getting more in touch with it and finding I liked the rush I get from it a little too much...ultimately finding that I need some kind of balanced relationship with it...but, of course, that's a work in progress...like any asana...YogaforCynicshttp://yogaforcynics.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6384782695584867387.post-796735462306682992010-03-21T13:40:45.675-07:002010-03-21T13:40:45.675-07:00oh yes- this resonates with me. Being angry scares...oh yes- this resonates with me. Being angry scares me, and if it's strong enough it usually turns quickly to 'upset', complete with tears etc.<br /><br />directing anger would be so useful... and I think this is a skill that would take time to hone. for myself at least.<br /><br />hmmm. you've given me something to think about (as always :) ).Eco Yoginihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693080137196812405noreply@blogger.com