Dealing with Anger in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Most of us have anger within, which can suddenly appear usually due to an outer catalyst which triggers it.
Recently, I was talking to a friend who was demanding that I do something about a certain situation within a charity that I am involved in. It was a matter of life and death for him, and as I would have to consult the Committee of the charity first, I told him that I liked his idea very much, but I couldn’t make a decision there and then.
He suddenly became enraged, screaming so loudly, that some people left the room, as his nose was 3 inches from mine, and some were obviously nervous that a brawl might ensue. Very surprisingly, I wasn’t afraid at all. Finally, he backed off as I stood my ground, and returned a minute later and apologised profusely, as he repeated later that evening via a ‘phone call.
Anger and jealousy are similar in the sense that they develop within when something we want is thwarted.
When we put up with situations we would rather avoid, our uncontrolled minds react by instantly feeling unhappy.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ‘seat of the emotions’ resides in the Liver, which is often described as the ‘Immature Child’, when something in it begins to malfunction.
Its forceful energy tries to invade other organs as it attempts to keep itself flowing, thus causing a myriad of other health problems. The 2 organs it tends to invade giving a different set of symptoms for each, are the Stomach and the Lungs.
Basically, when a dis-ease begins to manifest in the body, stagnation, i.e. a break in the flow of energy occurs.
Anger causes great stagnation, as it causes heat from the Liver to rise into the head, as an angry person usually has a reddened face, and redness anywhere always means heat, and the question is, ‘where does the heat come from’. With anger it always comes from the Liver.
The progression of developing anger is as follows: Irritability – Anger – Rage.
Persons whose Liver has stagnated will sigh often, as in so doing they are unconsciously attempting to free up the stagnation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine deals with this situation by regulating the Liver to calm it down using certain Acupuncture points, and herbal formulae that specifically and very effectively help the Liver to free up its energy, and flow like a river again, to great relief.
However, the antidote to anger on the Mental level is to develop Patience, and then this intention will filter into the Subtle Energetic level, and eventually will manifest in the Physical level as a peaceful person, no longer controlled by anger.
Drowned in Dreams
As vulnerable as can be
You and I.
Living in the great expectation
Of love and happiness,
Not consciously realising
The emptiness of all pursuits
Of all imaginings.
True happiness triumphantly awaits
Until all is let go of.
Then you and I become us,
Humanity is realised as One,
The One and only Infinite One –
Radiating forth as it always has done
Since beginningless time.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch
In time and space,
The vulnerable You and I
Are drowned in dreams.
