Wil....

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

Righteous anger is one thing.

I'll have to see if Jah has an opening then for an angel of death.... Loki

[Tao_Equus]

anger is an energy.....

YouTube - Public Image Ltd - Rise

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, all!

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

I think that anger is a good thing. You can use it for an energy boost if you can figure out how to focus it. I think that most times anger is self-destructive, and it's potential for good is wasted. Righteous anger is one thing. Adrenaline rush anger is another.

Yep, that's pretty close to how I see it.

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

But I think that most often anger stems from two emotional sources: Impatience number one, and feelings of powerlessness second. Most often it's a combination of those two motivators.

I do think there are other potential motivators as well, such as frustration, physical pain, and personality (ego?) clash.

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

If you want to control your anger you have to look carefully at what's causing it. How it builds up and how you release it. I'm not saying I'm totally in control of my anger, but I do know how it works. You can't just "control" your anger. You have to understand the emotional processes that cause it.

Right. I'm not versed well enough in the psychology involved to get into some deep analysis of the process. Besides, it would probably provoke boredom to tears by those trying to read it. In general though Chris is right on the money. There is an emotional process that takes place. If one can watch the process as it unfolds they can get a better idea of how it triggers and from there how to manipulate the triggers. Once you get that part, then focus on channeling that energy into solutions.

Originally Posted by wil

I'd like to hear more on focusing/harnessing. I know that I have issues with suppressing/ignoring and I think it leads to a malaise/depression...of course that for me is undiagnosed and I ain't know doctor.

I think we all look for those simplified bumper sticker solutions, the pat answers to how life works, and it isn't always that simple, at least not in practical application. Even a textbook list of steps may or may not (fully) apply, because each person's psychology is unique, and each experience that provokes anger is unique. We can go with generalities...but then those generalities must be tailored to each individual. As with any emotion, I don't think a textbook can fully convey the essence. The menu is not the meal. The person has to experience the rise of emotion, and then tailor the concept of taking control and redirecting that emotional energy to his / her unique experience.

Originally Posted by wil

I know in Power V. Force on the levels of consciousness anger is above grief, apathy, fear, guilt...and can be used to accelerate one out of these issues..

Anger is a funny thing, in that yes it can accelerate or amplify certain other emotions. I heard the story once of a guy pinned down in a foxhole under heavy enemy fire. His buddy right beside him took a bullet between the eyes. The guy was so overcome with fear and rage that he made his way across the line and took out an enemy machine gun nest single-handedly, turned the gun around and used the enemy's gun on them until there were no more bullets! He ended up highly decorated by the US, French and British military for his "heroic" action. Truth is, he was scared sh!tless and did something about it. True story by the way, this was my great-grandfather in WW1.

Now, I can accept that this was an exceptional case...we aren't pinned down in foxholes everyday. I still believe the energy aroused by garden variety anger can be channeled into constructive solution, IF we maintain the presence of mind to do so. It isn't easy, at least not until one gets the knack for doing so. Lord knows I still need a lot of practice. But it can be done, I have heard, I have seen and I have even started on occasion to do myself.

Of course, this is my experience with this...and true, another's mileage may vary...

[Alex P]

Originally Posted by Ciel

So you want to want.......just do.

Ciel... Your an amazing lady sister!

It doesn't get any more simple, yet something in us tries to just make it seem far more complicated, but you're right Ciel (but of course!) it is that simple.

[wil]

Wow forgot all about this thread that forshadowed the change from 17th to Alex.

Would like to recognize that it was a conscious decision. One that took time, patience and consistency, like all good things.

And would like to congratulate Alex on the trip! I know I've appreciated being on the ride.

[Alex P]

lol thanks brah! Only just started, was listening to Lodon's bridge is falling down... And for some reason to my ears, it sounded in harmony with the whole idea of this thread...

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Kindest Regards, Angel and all!


SPOT ON, WIL!!!

If I may, Angel, I struggle with some of the same anger issues as you. Its taken me quite some time to realize, but I am beginning to understand more deeply that anger is an emotion, and we do have some control over our emotions. As a clerk, I have to deal with people all day long at work. All of the "professionalism" training I received in school only gave me thoughts to consider when I was calm, and seldom entered my mind when dealing with a...problematic...customer. Over time I began to see that creating adversarial relationships with people I deal with on a frequent basis added to my problems...so I try, mostly, to alleviate that. Its a lot easier to deal with folks on a day to day if one can have a constructive relationship, if not even "friendly." Then there are the occasional patients or family that are difficult to deal with, and it is hard to keep in mind that a person in pain or dealing with health issues may not be pleasant to deal with, or concerned family / friends may be a bit demanding. Still, my position requires that I try. It is really difficult at times.

I think the most eye opening experience for me was when my dog did something (don't even remember what) that provoked my ire. Now, I was set up for this by my physical therapist in a conversation we had. I noticed that I was angry, but I was "outside" (or inside?) of myself, I could see myself getting angry and didn't seem to be able to control it. I was watching me. And I found as the anger began to subside that I was able to control it and calm down much sooner. When I remember to do so, I try to step aside in my mind and rationalize whether or not my anger will be constructive. It seldom is. When I have such presence of mind, I find I am able to lay aside my anger and deal with the situation much better. I accept that I have been angered, but that anger will not solve the problem, and then I seek a solution to the problem.

Doesn't always work, I am still a work in progress, but I do try. I don't get angry quite as fast anymore, but I still have moments.

Like Wil said: practice, practice, practice. There is a switch, if you can find it and learn to make it work. A lot of us, myself included, forget (or don't know) it is there. It is alright to be angry, but to get lost in anger to the point of forgetting that anger doesn't solve the problem is where people like me get into trouble.

Thank you, for such a meaningful thread.

I chose my user name "GateKeeper" for this very reason. I am the keeper of the gates within - I allow what I focus my attention on. If anger comes to fruition, then it was me who allowed it to manifest, and no one else. Same goes with any other emotion [Good, or bad] They exist, and sometimes get the better of me, but I am the one who controls 'my' house!

Yes, great thread...

James

[Pathless]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

"And that, I think, was the handle - -that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn't need that. Our energy would simply prevail. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave. So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark - that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back."

Hey, that's Hunter S. Thompson from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas! Best give credit where credit is due. And HST was not a chilled-out dude by any stretch of the imagination. He was a depraved, drug-crazed, fiercely independent and violent genius of the desert that was late 20th century American society. He also blew his brains out, so watch your idols.



He was a great man, though, regardless of his faults. A true hero.