Anger is a response to a violation of a [[boundaries|boundary]]. It is a form of *[[the breath|chi]]*, an emotional energy stored within the [[body]]. In the framing, it is not something that can be banished from the organism, it is part of our [[ecology#Emotional Ecology|emotional ecology]]. [Managing anger skillfully](https://www.lionsroar.com/you-cant-get-rid-of-your-anger-and-thats-ok/) is a matter of acknowledging its presence without getting swept up in its energy. It is a practice of *centering* oneself between emotion and reason, and following the anger to its source. By holding center, we can dispassionately name the abuse without reacting to it. Acknowledging and gently confronting difficult emotions, giving them room to be felt, then communicating them as the experience passes promotes [[high agency]]. [[Cognitive ambiguity]] is one dimension of this skill. Expressing anger (venting) has historically been viewed as a cathartic practice and means of anger management. This perspective is not supported by research, which instead suggests that it increases the likelihood of anger emerging in the future.[^1] Since anger is a reality of human emotions, [[a general theory of meditation|meditation]] practice doesn't remove it. The ultimate goal of mindfulness practice is to skillfully engage with one's emotions Certain practices such as meditation can sooth difficult emotions for a time, ultimately they inhibit emotional growth by bypassing the physical experience of them. ## Thoughts - Personal exp. essay? Rage in the Superior Vena Cava ([[anxiety]]). The result of dismissing and ignoring anger from experiences in childhood and young adulthood. The emotion finds a place to live and stays there. If suppressed too long, it no longer feels safe to come out. [^1]: Lohr, J. M., Olatunji, B. O., Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). The psychology of anger venting and empirically supported alternatives that do no harm. _Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice_, _5_(1).