Lately I’ve been noticing although the communities I’m involved in are pro-peace there still lies the roots of anger that arise depending on the subject matter. Ex: In a zoom meeting several participants were very vocal concerning the behaviors and priorities of the super-rich. I remember the discussion originated around privately owned companies and space travel and the “famous” personages going on what amounts to an expensive “carnival ride.”
Lots of anger was displayed and strong attitudes prevailed. I couldn’t help but notice how excited the naysayers were, deeply passionate and embracing the anger, as though being angry was helpful or resolved anything.
Being kind lacks any “juice,” passion, excitement or energetic somatic experience that anger offers. Our emotions and bodies can become attached to those feelings, power, energy, intensity, and most importantly, those feelings reinforce the attention to being alive. No wonder anger lives on in the hearts of humans. Even as we embrace being kind as a way of life, we still gravitate towards the energy of anger.
Being kind is work. It’s challenging because the outcome is the opposite of anger, I need to see the addiction to emotional and physical reactions, and if I’m wanting to practice being kind, go through the “withdrawal” from being angry just like any addiction. It means wanting to be angry but not acting out. It means accessing anger as close to its peak as possible and seeing that it’s both exciting and damaging to self and everything around us. I believe treating anger as an emotional and physical addiction is a step in moving towards being kind towards self and others.
A side note, I remember offering this to the group. Although we may not like what individuals are doing with their wealth, we often miss the fact that large parts of the planet’s population relate to us, whom they experience as privileged in an equivalent way, viewing us as super wealthy humans wasting time, money, and energy on useless meaningless pursuits. Perspective is everything as we project meaning into the world.
Just something to contemplate,
Bryan Wagner
Visions of a People's Dharma 
Anger is a force
that arises in us
unconsciously
or amplified by one’s own will
the rage wants to ask us a question
(we are not the masters of our own house)
for the sake of their importance
so that we can have this strength
can use to gain new insight
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true
I have noticed that most opinions about the world of business and politics tend to exaggerate their own importance and miss the reality that we live in a world drenched with contradictions that coexist and collaborate
LikeLike
That was so well said my friend. I totally agree.
LikeLike
What a wonderful post. Comparing anger to an addiction is so insightful and helpful….thank you. Anger always leaves me feeling violated after the temporary high. 🙏🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome my friend, I experience the same thing, The wonderful news is we see that!
Take care my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anger is clearly a drug, reinforcing a sense of self and cultivating a sense of superiority. Kindness, on the other hand, is slower, less of a high. Courage, in other words, or perhaps inscrutability in acting in a way that doesn’t clearly benefit oneself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Kindness does feel like a slower and much gentler perspective. Kindness, for me, is benefiting me, in paying attention I’m starting to experience a reduction in anxiety, worry, and less of a need to explain how I am to anyone, all tied to attempting to embrace kindness. Thanks for reading and your response.
LikeLike