Thoughts on Anger

[Hopalong]

I don't know how much I can contribute to this thread myself--perhaps nothing--but I was attracted to this quote (don't know the source, found it second-hand in a letter on Salon.com). I thought it might spark some good discussion. Seems as though managing anger while setting and holding boundaries is a huge challenge for many of us at different times. Maybe thinking about it "in advance" could help some of us handle the next tough confrontation?

Hope so,
Hops
--------------

If my enemy attacks me and I retaliate, it's as if they fired an arrow at me that I caught and plunged into my own heart. If they attack me and I get angry but don't retaliate, it's as if they fired an arrow that bounced off my breastplate and went back into my enemy's heart. And if my enemy attacks me and I don't get angry at all, it's as if they fired an arrow and it went straight into their own heart.

[sea storm]

Boy, that is a beautiful saying. I can imagine some highly selfs actualized and evolved person being able to do this. It sounds like perfect enlightenment.
I would like to aspire to that way of being.

Reacting to anger and offensiveness with more offense sure doesn't do anything positive. This kind of mental akaido is the way to go when dealing with hostile people. On the other hand being with someone I trust and being free to express how I really feel is liberating.


Thanks for that quote.  It is the best way to go with people who are mentally ill or narcissistic for sure

Sea storm