Mind-Based and Experience-Based Anger
Anger that is our spirit's response to our own self-talk and/or mental images is based in our mind. Mind-based anger arises, for example, when we form an opinion that another person's actions somehow wronged us. Often we form such opinions too quickly, making assumptions with inadequate information.
Anger that is experienced-based is our spirit's response to our in-the-world interactions with others that somehow threaten our life. For example, someone does us wrong for no apparent reason and our spirit responds with anger in order to protect ourselves and affirm the value of our life as well as the life of the offender.
Life-Denying and Life Affirming Anger
Generally speaking mind-based anger is life-denying. It is life-denying because it is our spirit's response to our own self-talk and mental images. However, it is inappropriately directed outwardly at a living being, place, thing, or event. It is incongruent. The frequent result is harm to both ourself and the other toward whom we directed our anger.
Anger that is experienced-based tends to be life-affirming because it is our spirit's response to a genuine threat to and devaluing of our life. It is our natural way of defending ourselves because we value our life and that of others. It communicates clearly to the offender, "No! My life (spirit) is far too valuable for you to do that! And yours is far too valuable for me to allow you wrong me!" It inspires us to take appropriate protective action to end the threat.
Anger is a healthy, appropriate emotion when it is experience-based and life-affirming.
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