Today, I want to dive into Sacred Rage. Not just any rage… Sacred Rage. In the full episode, I share a story about how my own expression of Sacred Rage made some people uncomfortable, and we explore why much of Western industrialized society doesn’t tend to hold space for it.
Sacred rage is a kind of deep, holy fire that rises in your gut when you witness injustice. When someone crosses a clear boundary over and over again, and every cell in your body screams, “this ends NOW.”
A kind of energy that doesn’t destroy for the sake of destruction, but that comes from wisdom and compassion that clears a path for truth, protection, and healing.
Sacred rage is intentional, fierce, and clarifying. And it’s inextricably bound to truth.
But let’s be honest: most people are freaked out by it. We’ve been taught (especially those raised as women or raised to be “polite” or “nice”) that anger is bad, unbecoming, unholy and unspiritual.
Here’s the truth, though: rage can be one of the most sacred forces we have access to. Not just because of what it can destroy, but because of what it clears space for.
Sacred rage can be loud, like the Earth cracking open because our HEARTS are cracking open. It’s raw, unfiltered, potent emotion, so it makes sense that it can freak out a world built on avoidance, repression, and maintaining the status quo.
It makes people uncomfortable because it’s real, palpable, and wakes them the f*ck up.
Now I know what some of you might be thinking. ”Isn’t Buddhism all about peace? Isn’t anger one of the kleshas—the afflictive emotions we’re supposed to try to tame?”
Interestingly, in Tibetan Buddhism (and other religions like Hinduism), there are wrathful deities. These fierce manifestations of enlightened energy appear freaking scary at first, but they aren’t “evil.” They’re expressions of compassion that’s so fierce, they’ll do whatever it takes to wake us up.
The deities don’t act out from anger and rage, but rather transmute rage. They take the raw energy of anger and channel it into cutting through delusion, ego, and hatred.
Sacred rage is also not personal. It’s not about me hating you or you hating so-and-so. It’s cosmic and wise. And it’s wielded with full presence and fierce love. If we didn’t have love and compassion, the sacred rage would not arise, ok?
Now, if we don’t acknowledge our sacred rage, it becomes a shadow. And that’s dangerous AF. Misplaced or repressed anger can fester and explode in ways that harm rather than heal. I think we’ve all felt bad about things we’ve said and done when we’ve lashed out.
So let me say it straight up: we need Sacred Rage now more than ever because there are things in this world that should make you angry.
Things like the violence inflicted on Black and Brown bodies. The way women’s autonomy is still up for debate (really?!). The slow death of the planet.
Yes. Be enraged.
AND don’t stop there. Don’t let it rot inside your bones or twist into bitterness. And don’t numb it or try to forget it.
Let it be sacred. Let it rise. Let it inform your boundaries and cleanse what is no longer healthy and just.
Let it burn down what was never yours to carry and let it give you the courage to protect what you love.
Sometimes it’s a growl, a war cry…and other times it’s a softly spoken “no more, this stops now,” that comes with deep, confident calm. Ziji. (There are also many ways we can practice working with our sacred rage. Listen to the full pod for some great ideas.)
If we want to birth a better world, we need the midwives of sacred rage. So let it rise, my friends. Not to destroy, but to protect. Not to punish, but to awaken.
We need more warriors of truth. Like you and your sacred rage.
You will learn:
// What sacred rage is, and how it differs from other forms of anger
// Why rage is one of the most sacred forces we have access to, and what happens when we try to suppress it
// The role of sacred rage in Buddhism
// Why we need sacred rage now more than ever
// Ways we can work with sacred rage in a healthy way
Resources:
// Episode 19: On Anger
// Episode 46: Letting Your Emotions Be Your Guide
// Episode 154: Off the Cushion – Activism + Spirituality
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