Namaste,
Much thanks to EM for once again providing a thoughtful and thought-
provoking thread, and to all who have posted such considered replies;
while I will not try to categorically answer the listed questions, after
letting the topic steep for a bit, I would like to share some ideas.
To my mind, "anger", in and of itself, is neither good nor bad; for the
embodied, it is the emotion that translates an instinctual reaction,
one of defense- the organism's attempt to send the message,
"I am not prey!"
Even when anger is felt over one's family being threatened,
or a child feels anger at a rock they have stubbed their toe on,
I feel this holds true; the first is an example of an individual's natural
expansion of their sense of "I" to include relatives (and the spousal bond is
extremely strong in this regard).
The second, while a reaction to an inanimate object rather than another
sentient being, is still instinctually motivated, both directly, as a response
to physical injury, and as a response that reflects our "human" nature, in
that we have always lived in groups. Having always been highly socialized,
we all carry a base-level sense of "being under observation", and
there is an instinct to offset any appearance of weakness.
This translates into the more complex manifestations wrought by our
brains; and the ego (which is like Raktabija, in seeming to multiply its power
with every injury ) jumps in quite quickly for many, to establish a
powerful foothold in its neverending quest to obscure Self with it"self"...
In early youth, one will question the intent or responsibility of others or
oneself, in a novel situation resulting in "hurt feelings"- "Did I make a
mistake?" "Was I at fault?" etc.
The ego, if permitted, has tendency to shorten, and too often eliminate entirely,
these inner "conversations", and externalize responsibility- to declare
"This will not be tolerated!" and put the intellect to work at rationalization
and justification.
Yet I reiterate- anger itself is just what it is, not intrinsically good, or bad.
I am reminded of sunyata07's signature; there is always a point at
which someone makes a choice, and sadly, for many that choice was one
made long ago, the choice to ignore any inner voice, other than the ego's.
The experience of anger as an emotion is to be expected as natural
for the average person- it is how it is dealt with, how it is expressed,
what thoughts, words, and deeds progress from it, that is of concern.
Clinging to anger, bitterness, grudges- this is like drinking poison, hoping
your enemies will die from it.
For those reading who might be thinking, "But what of Divine anger?", it
is not like comparing apples and oranges... more like comparing apples and
photosynthesis.
I apologize for once again meandering here and there, and thank those
who are patient enough to wade through these words of mine!
JAI MATA DI
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