Highlights from the Edmonton workshop:
Create A Passion For Living By Transforming Anger
We
began our adventure Thursday evening with a question and answer session
about the topic of anger. We
discussed the importance of setting healthy, openhearted boundaries with
those prone to projecting their anger on us.
We talked about the harmful effects of suppressing anger and
heard stories of how inappropriately expressed anger effects our
children and our partners. Kelly
shared his understanding that anger often arises when we feel we have no
choice. He explained that
anger comes up to remind us that we have choice and to empower us to
make choice.
Friday
night’s session was all about creating a safe space in which to bring
forward the powerful and often volatile energy of anger.
Apparently we succeeded in creating safety as a beautiful, strong
woman spontaneously expressed her deep love for her father and her anger
at his passing “too soon.” The
roller coaster ride had begun!
Saturday
began with a reminder that most of us have not yet learned to befriend
our anger. Most of us do not yet know how to express our anger cleanly
on a consistent basis. Some
have learned to suppress their anger turning it inward against self. Some have a habit of projecting anger on others thus causing
harm.
Kelly
offered us an opportunity to experience the expression of anger with the
intention of healing. He
explained and demonstrated the “rage dance.”
We had many questions, concerns and fears as we prepared to
release / express our rage. We
needed to walk through old messages regarding the “proper way” to
express anger. The rage
dance proved to be a powerful physical, emotional and energetic
experience. For many, it
was the first time we had received permission to express anger without
labeling it “wrong,” without feeling guilt and shame.
Many people moved through their anger and dropped into the grief
hidden beneath. All
this was accomplished before lunch!
After
lunch we broke into small groups for discussion.
We explored the idea that anger can arise when we feel our needs
are not being met by another in the way we wish / demand them to be.
It is easy to become attached to the idea that a certain person
in our lives is responsible for filling our needs in the way we prefer.
In our small groups, we identified the needs we felt were not
fulfilled and whom we were holding responsible for this.
Sunday
began with an opportunity for forgiveness.
Kelly reminded us that forgiveness is not about condoning
inappropriate behavior but rather about reconnecting with the essence of
the person we think has wronged us.
We participated in an activity in which we walked toward the one
we had identified as not meeting our needs.
We made this walk with the intention of healing.
This too proved to be a powerful experience on a physical,
emotional and energetic level.
Sunday
afternoon was filled with small groups sharing what they had learned
during the weekend and setting intentions as to how we would apply this
to our everyday lives. After a weekend of revealing ourselves, we used the final
moments of the workshop for the sharing of appreciation.
Anger can be a “scary” topic to approach. I am grateful for the brave souls who showed up to explore this emotion with me.