Anger expressed in a non harmful way can be cathartic or positively fuel forward momentum.
Anger expressed harmfully leads to guilt and shame which perpetuates the causes of anger.
Anger unexpressed is the slow poison that eats one from the inside.
If we dig deeply enough there is anger and resentment at the core of many of our struggles.
One of the deeper sources of anger or rage is when our boundaries have been transgressed. We hold resentment toward the perpetrator for overstepping, and toward ourselves for not holding the boundary.
We build stories around our anger to justify it. We vilify those who are perceived as antagonists.
As long as we point the finger outward we are missing the greater opportunity of self healing.
It’s tough when you are dealing with anger as you have to be willing to feel it, to for example dump all the yucky judgements and rage filled thoughts onto a paper, and keep going until you get to the core wound.
Now you work on self forgiveness and over time forgiveness and compassion toward the other.
Dealing with deep emotions takes time because our body gets addicted to the chemistry of the emotion and we keep creating reasons to feel angry so we can experience the familiar chemistry.
Here is where Kriya comes in. Practices that move out old stagnant energy and create a physiological change and shift our frequency so the old thoughts connected to the trauma have less power. Then on a moment by moment basis we get to choose to release negative thoughts and invest in positive helpful ones. Again, this is a process.
The Yoga tradition reminds us that our attachments are what keep us stuck. Attached to our anger, resentment, victim, self righteousness etc. watch the thoughts that are laced with these tendencies. CHOOSE differently. This will set you free.