When Anger Is In The World
How are you when someone is angry and in your face? Do you react in anger? How can we be with someone else’s and our own anger?
Hello everyone and welcome. This week we’re exploring how to be mindful in an angry world. How to be when others are angry; and how to be when we’re angry. How do we process someone getting in our face and saying, “You’re my enemy.” Anger often arises in a group because someone feels either powerful or weak. Under that anger is always some kind of vulnerability. How do we skillfully reach under the cover of anger to reach that vulnerability so we can uncover our common ground? How can we be with those who feel that they don’t belong or that their identity is being threatened? How do we reach those who feel excluded? How do we process a situation in which someone is in our face saying, “You’re my enemy?” How do we respond rather than react?
The how is with mindfulness, equanimity, deep listening, and lovingkindness. It sounds simple and perhaps a bit slick to say, “Be mindful.” Being mindful requires intention, energy, and focus especially when someone is in your face. Now more than ever, mindfulness is what we need to navigate all the anger in the world, on social media, in the news, and in our faces.
Equanimity is like the roots of the tree that nourish us and hold us steady even when the winds of anger blow. Equanimity is that balanced and clear state of mind that is neither of nor against and sees from all sides without judgment. It is from a place of equanimity that our mindfulness grows, our listening opens, and our lovingkindness blossoms.
I hope you enjoy the show—that you learn how your mind responds to anger—the anger of others and your own. And, that you bring the angry man who gets in your face and says, “You’re my enemy,” into your lovingkindness practice. Express phrases of lovingkindness to him, “May you be safe. May you be free from suffering. May you live life with ease. May you know you belong just as all of us belong to each other.”
This week, I am excited to announce that you can now become a member of the podcast through Patreon. To support the show, become a member by joining here. And, please subscribe/follow and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you listen.
As always, I am grateful to you, my listeners, and I am also grateful for the people behind the scenes that make this podcast possible.
Allie Allen for logo and podcast cover design;
Gorgias Romero for composing the original music, audio engineering and production;
Bill Rafferty for technical web support; and
Margaret Haas for announcing the show.
Be well. Be mindful.
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and guidance of your health professional.
