When we decide to travel a spiritual path we want to develop our capacity to become more loving, peaceful, harmonious souls. We want our emotions and thoughts to hit the high note, not the low ones. We want sunlight and flowers to dapple our path as we ascend the spiritual mountains, and our eyes may be so firmly fixed on the heavens that we fail to see the patches of mud which also inhabit our path.

Anger is one of those muddy spots. When we hit it we go out of control; we slip and slide back down to the bottom of the mountain. We may then aggravate our already-bruised condition by telling ourselves how unspiritual and unevolved we really are.

Have you ever noticed that animals don't worry about getting angry? I once had a cat, Angel, who wasn't fond of strangers. If an unwary human passed through her territory--which was the entire house--she hissed and growled in a menacing manner. Some people were terrified of her, convinced that she might at any moment leap on them and claw them to death. During her long life, though, she never scratched or bit a guest. Her anger wasn't a prelude to violence but a means of preventing it.

We humans have the same ability to use anger to prevent violence, but sometimes our mistrust of our intuitive animal sense about effective and appropriate behavior makes us afraid to act on it. As children, we are punished for the spontaneous expression of anger (did you ever tell your parents that you hated them?). Schools reinforce the lesson, and by the time we're adults we're convinced that anger has the danger potential of volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

Our opinions on anger don't eliminate it from our emotional repertoire; nor do they erase our physiological response to it: accelerated adrenaline production, the quickening of the nervous system, and the urge to redress the chemical and neurological imbalance by releasing tension. When we try to inhibit anger it will either explode or implode.

Fight or Flight

Sometimes we get so fed up, we just can't hold back and we say what's on our minds. Anger can become the steam which gets us to speak unpleasant truths. It also shields us against expressing our vulnerabilities; when we're angry we don't have to say, "It really hurts my feelings when you never ask me how I am."

When we don't explode we may do even more damage. When anger implodes, instead of attacking someone else we attack ourselves. It is believed that ulcers, arthritis and rheumatism, and a depressed immune system are some of the physiological effects of unexpressed anger. On a psychological level we attack our self-love and self-esteem.

In extreme cases, you might creep through life, trying not to cause offense. When you feel an occasional twinge of anger it just proves what a generally worthless person you are.

An Ounce of Prevention

When our anger explodes or implodes we become its victim. When we handle it as it arises we become its masters. Vibrational essences can be a great aid in learning these lessons. (See the boxed information at right and below for specific essence suggestions.)

To deal with anger consciously, allow it to be. Don't dampen it by making excuses for the person you're angry at; don't divert it by beating yourself up. Know that, regardless of the circumstances, you have a right to your anger. Feel its force and recognize that you're a very powerful person to be able to create and generate such energy, a person powerful enough to use it wisely.

Then look at your anger objectively. What about a person's behavior angers you? Ask yourself--without blaming yourself--whether you ever display such characteristics. For example, have you ever not listened to others? The recognition that we have the very traits we dislike in others can be sobering (and sometimes humiliating) but it does much to defuse anger, as opposed to repressing it.

If you're still angry you'll need to express it. You can release some anger and clarify your feelings by writing a letter to the other person. Say everything you need to say; let the anger out until flames lick the page. Then tear it up or burn it. This exercise may prepare you to speak to the person; if not, you might want to send him or her a more moderate version of the letter.

If you do decide to have a conversation about what makes you angry, create and mentally repeat an affirmation that the discussion will produce the best possible results for both of you.

Anger and Love

From the time we told our parents we hated them we've been angry at people to the degree that we love them. When people we love disappoint us we feel a barrier to expressing our love for them. Our anger is really an attempt to remove the obstacle which prevents us from loving--and if we let our anger be, it will do just that. Anger is Love Having a Bad Day.

Have you ever had a fight with someone you loved which resulted in a tearful reconciliation and the feeling that you loved this person more than ever? This happened because your commitment wasn't to your anger but to the love you shared. When we learn to extend this commitment, when we firmly decide to be loving, peaceful, harmonious people, when we trust ourselves to express our anger consciously and wisely, we find that, far from making us skid down the mountain of enlightenment, it helps to get us to the top.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CONNIE BARRETT does flower essence counseling for people and pets (including by email), and has recently begun teaching an email course on the chakras, including references to useful crystals, flower essences, and essential oils for dissolving blockages. Her website, Beyond the Rainbow, has many articles about flower essences and related subjects. She can also be reached by e-mail at rainbow@ulster.net.

DESIGN CREDITS: Fireworks photo under "Anger and Love" courtesy of Doug's Pyro Page. All other fireworks graphics © 1997 Jackie Whedbee. All rights reserved. Visit Jackie Whedbee's World on the web.

The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.