I remember many years ago when I was a new yoga student reading an article about a yoga teacher who walked into a room at a retreat and yelled at everyone. The student writing the article, and the teacher, were expressing how there is a place for anger in a peaceful heart. I have said similar things to my own mother. Sometimes I will express myself passionately and she will ask “ Have your students seen you this way.” Well, some of them, yes. Because being centered and mindful does not mean there is no anger or fear. It means I recognize these emotions for what they are. They are highlighters, signs of danger, or warnings from my own heart and body. As a practitioner of mindfulness, I can be very angry or scared and realize I do not need to act on these feelings. I can calm myself quickly by controlling my breath. Controlling my breath sets off a series of other bodily reactions as my brain recognizes there is no immediate threat and I don’t need the adrenaline anymore. Now, here comes the hard part.
When I feel these powerful emotions I know I need to be still, be quiet and listen. Prayer, mindfulness, and meditation are not tools for making the world more happy, or for forgetting the pain and discord that cause our uncomfortable feelings. Prayer, mindfulness, and meditation are tools which I embrace so I may submerge myself in conflict and maintain clarity. When I use these tools, I can still feel my emotions but my body does not react to them. Sometimes anger and fear are based on old emotions (or biases) and I have the chance to overcome them. Sometimes action is required and I can navigate from a position of clarity. I can listen deeply to my heart; I can hear and see solutions which were once obscured.
This is what allows me to stand with a screaming child, to hold someone’s hand in mourning, to read the news. This is what allows me to give into empathy completely without losing my ability to cope. From this point of clarity, I can navigate scary situations with courage and unknot anger to get the to the deeper problem. I can find compassion for myself and others.
" Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.”- Gandhi.
This "correct understanding” is not just the understanding of each other, but the problems we face and the solutions available. The road to peace takes practice and patience.