On Processing Rage
Because of complex trauma, feeling into my body and my feelings can be difficult. And because of cultural and familial trauma, suppressing anger has been a crucial survival mechanism.
In the past couple of weeks, the rage has been coming up to the surface more easily, especially around certain more sensitive pieces around injustice, disrespect, and neglect.
More often, in the past, I could feel injustice done to others more than I could relate to the injustice done to me. I would feel outrage and defend people, but believed I deserved the rotten behavior or I could easily gaslight myself of that fact.
Now that my brain is registering the truth with more ease, my feelings are coming up to the surface, especially this deep rage.
It feels important to honor it and listen to it, but it also is requiring a lot of my body to process it all.
Yes, I'm working with professionals in therapy and so on, so I'm definitely in good hands. And I have a steady practice to support me. One of the things that got me through the difficult times was visioning what was coming and holding that anger as a powerful force and rudder to guide me.
Do you know this experience at all? And I'm curious how do you honor, witness, release your rage, especially from many years (decades)?
I often reflect on the powerful words of Audre Lorde, The Uses of Anger. Channeling that anger into the work of good. Creating boundaries that support us. Speaking with courage and conviction. Linking arms in solidarity to resist what is and building something new - something beyond the current paradigm and status quo.
This month's theme for my work is Building Beyond Capitalism and I'd love to hear how you work with your anger and rage.
In solidarity,
Anuradha
P.S. I'd love for you to join the discussion on my FB wall or in one of events this month.