His Holiness the Dalai Lama: “Anger that is motivated by compassion or a desire to correct social injustice, and does not seek to harm the other person, is a good anger that is worth having.”
A few notes about anger from Roshi Joan Halifax:
Anger that is rooted in ego, including narcissistic rage (the rage and outrage of the privileged), the anger of helplessness, or the anger that endeavors to harm or get revenge, is not what HHDL is speaking about. Nor is this moral outrage, indignation, or self-righteousness, again often indirect expressions of privilege or direct expressions of those subjected to harm. Fierce compassion, the healthy anger that HHDL is referring to has clarity at its core. We can ask then: What is anger devoid of aggression? What is it before the narrative takes over? It is energy of wrathful wisdom, of clear seeing, of ruthless compassion, maybe hard to stomach, but bare and true. It means “Pay attention.” It is saying, “Awaken.” It is saying, “Do not fall into aggression.” “Do not by-pass.” “Keep grounded.” Use the energy to free others from suffering. This kind of anger is power with, not power over. Thanissara Mary Weinberg puts it thus: “Anger is traditionally thought to be close to wisdom. When not projected outward onto others or inward toward the self, it gives us the necessary energy and clarity to understand what needs to be done.” Rebecca Solnit puts it this way: “Buddhism offers an elegant model of anger management. Harness the emotion, feel it without inflicting it.”
photo credit: Buddhist Peace Fellowship
The Metta Garden 