Anger
“Anger is the deepest form of compassion,” David Whyte poet and philosopher
In this article we examine the human emotion of anger and ask some questions about it as catalyst for positive change and examine the statement above, is anger the deepest form of compassion?
First of all, what is anger?
Perhaps the simplest is to say is that anger is what we feel when things do not go the way ‘we’ want them to or the way we planned, it can be experienced when others disrupt our current situation or our future plans, anger result from frustrations regarding change that we see as negative but equally from frustrations involving a lack of the change that we want, our cognition perceives this as a threat.
What anger does to our bodies
Anger, as a complex emotion, has both positive and negative physiological effects on the body. Understanding these effects can help us manage anger more effectively and leverage its benefits while mitigating its harms.
The good…..
As a positive the adrenaline surge from anger can give us increased energy and focus, as well as increased psahysical strength, this is what power lifters are tapping into when they roar before a lift, benefitting from the hormonal response to anger.
Anger can also increase our pain tolerance which can have huge benefits in dangerous situations allowing us to deal more effectively and this arousal state can lead to increased focus and concentration on the issue at hand, potentially improving problem-solving abilities and response times.
The bad….
This increased energy, strength and awareness comes at a price if sustained over a long period as it puts strain on our cardiovascular system, reduces immune function and disrupts digestion but this is not all, extended periods of anger lead to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances as well as causing muscle pain from tensing and headaches
David Whyte - poet and philosopher
Anger as compassion
David Whyte, a renowned poet and philosopher, beautifully encapsulates a profound perspective on anger with his assertion that “anger is the deepest form of compassion.” This statement suggests that anger, often seen as a negative emotion, can actually stem from a deep place of care and concern. Anger often arises when we perceive an injustice or a wrong, signifying our care about fairness, equity, and the well-being of others. For instance, anger at social injustices like racism, sexism, or any form of discrimination reflects a profound empathy and solidarity with those who are suffering, driving efforts to correct these wrongs and create a more just society.
Moreover, anger can serve as a protective mechanism, defending oneself or others from harm. This protective instinct is rooted in compassion, aiming to shield loved ones or oneself from physical, emotional, or psychological threats. A parent's anger when their child is mistreated exemplifies this deep care and desire to protect their child from harm. Similarly, anger can indicate self-respect and the need to establish boundaries. When our values, integrity, or personal space are violated, anger emerges to assert these boundaries, acting as a form of self-compassion. Feeling anger when someone disrespects us can lead to setting clear boundaries, ensuring that our self-worth and dignity are preserved.
Constructively expressed anger can also be a powerful motivator for change, both personally and socially. This form of anger is driven by the compassionate desire to improve conditions for oneself and others. Activists who are angry about environmental destruction, for example, are often motivated by a deep compassion for future generations and the planet, driving them to advocate for sustainable practices. Additionally, anger can be an expression of deep care when it arises from seeing someone we love in pain or struggling. This type of anger can compel us to take action to alleviate their suffering, such as becoming angry when witnessing a loved one being treated unfairly at work or in a relationship, pushing us to support them in seeking justice or better treatment.
When understood and channelled correctly, anger can be transformative. It can lead to personal growth, healing, and stronger relationships, all grounded in compassion. Working through anger in therapy or self-reflection can uncover underlying issues, leading to healing and the development of healthier emotional patterns. David Whyte’s perspective that “anger is the deepest form of compassion” invites us to reconsider how we view and handle this powerful emotion. By recognising the compassionate roots of anger, we can transform it from a potentially destructive force into one that drives positive change, protects what we value, and strengthens our connections with ourselves and others. Understanding anger in this light encourages us to listen to its messages, use it constructively, and appreciate its role in our emotional and social lives.
Anger as an agent of change
Looking back at recent human history we can see a number of social issues that have been positively changed through anger emerging as sense of injustice and thsi of course comes from a position of deep compassion. This includes the civil rights movement, the suffragette movement, Anti-apartheid, labour rights, environmental issues such as fossil fuel usage and of course the recent #metoo and LBGTQ rights movements.
Perhaps we need to channel a positive anger towards food system change? This would involves channeling the passionate energy that arises from recognising injustices and threats to the environment into positive, constructive actions
Anger in this context often stems from observing the negative impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, public health, and local communities. This includes soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and inequitable food distribution. By acknowledging these sources of anger, we can harness the underlying compassion to drive change.
The protective nature of anger can be directed towards safeguarding natural resources. This involves advocating for farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and reducing chemical inputs until they are obsolete. Actions can include supporting policies that promote regenerative agriculture, educating farmers about sustainable practices, and encouraging consumers to choose products from regenerative farms.
Positive anger
Anger is an energy - as stated by former sex pistols front man John Lydon
Anger, often perceived as a tempestuous and destructive force, paradoxically serves as a profound catalyst for societal metamorphosis. It has the unique power to galvanise individuals and communities, compelling them to rise against injustices and ardently champion their rights. Through the meticulous channeling of anger into organised, constructive endeavours, humanity has witnessed remarkable advancements in civil liberties, gender equality, labour rights, environmental conservation, and beyond. The philosophical underpinning of anger reveals its potential to transcend mere emotion, transforming into a formidable driving force for justice and equity.
In our current epoch, it may be that we stand on the brink of an 'angry moment' poised to revolutionise our approach to food production. This moment beckons for a paradigm shift towards a human-centric food system, one that repositions humanity at the core of agricultural practices and promotes sustainability and compassion. By embracing the transformative potential of anger, we can galvanise efforts to forge a food system that not only nourishes the body but also enshrines the principles of justice and equity, ushering in an era of profound and positive change.
Anger is an energy and as we know energy can neither be created or destroyed. Anger as an energy can be used to create or destroy, let’s channel compassionate anger to destroy what no longer serves and create something that does.