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Our inner Hulk and rage 😡🕷️🕸️
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Dear community When I first started therapy, when Eli was about four, it was partly because I'd realised that when I was activated, I would either go silent or get angry. I started therapy and coaching in tandem because I wanted to both heal and act. I wonder how many of us recognise that pattern? I was reminded of this when Eli and I went to see the latest Spiderman film, where Dr Banner carried so much shame about hulking out. He tried to suppress his rage with a device, which felt like our version of medication. But suppressing it didn't help. Befriending it might have. It took me years to realise that my inner "Hulk" wasn't something I needed to be afraid of. There is no shame in feeling angry. But I am responsible for what I do with that anger. At the time, it was a sign of loneliness, not being able to be vulnerable and open up. I didn't have the emotional language to express. I didn't have the spiritual mindset, that I am not my feelings but the one that witnesses them. Still forget that last part! 🤣 And right now, there is so much to be angry about. Injustice. Violence. Inequality. The state of our planet. What is happening in our communities and in the world around us. The continued capitalist and colonialist brutality. There can be so much rage within us. I keep focusing on, if I can witness my anger, rather than immediately suppressing it or acting from it, I can become curious about it. I am not my feelings or my thoughts. My anger can be a signal. Something feels wrong. A boundary has been crossed. Something I care deeply about is threatened. Something needs my attention. The question then becomes what I choose to do with it. How much rage do I suppress? What am I angry about that I don't allow yourself to witness? What would happen if I spent ten minutes simply sitting with that anger, without trying to get rid of it or act on it? Anger just like anxiety is an energy source. So, I would love to know.. What might your anger be trying to tell you? PS.. Projects I really care about right now are here https://theinnovation.org.uk/
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Mohammed Ali (The Innovation)
If you are working on social impact and social justice this is a newsletter to energise your journey - sign up by adding your email below
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