The Value Of Anger In Manifesting Your Desires

A client recently talked about her struggles with anger and that no matter what she did, she could not get rid of her ‘anger issues’. She was concerned that her anger would inevitably attract and manifest more negativity in her life.

Spirit’s response was that there is value and wisdom in anger. The reality is that sometimes we get smoking hot, furious, explosively angry! It is a human response to events that go against our wishes and desires. If it were not a natural reaction, the experience of anger would not be part of our physical life journey.

The truth is that all negative emotions are actually a dear friend who is there to tell us something. It indicates that we are out of alignment with our Higher Self, Spirit and the Divine. When we experience fear, anxiety or anger it indicates that we are out of alignment and no longer in the flow.

A common “pain-causing” tendency is the stories we tell ourselves about the future. One of the most common narratives I find when working with clients is the one that begins: “I will be happy when…”

We create a story about the fulfilment of certain desires and then focus more on the result or outcome rather than the process and the present moment. When our happiness depends on the future fulfilment of a story, we are no longer in resonance with the present reality and out of alignment with the universal flow. We are no longer living fully, we are merely playing an impatient waiting game.

Anger is just anger. It isn’t good. It isn’t bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters ~ Jim Butcher

There are two possible responses to story creation. We can try to control every step of the situation into manifestation. This usually backfires. Or we can fear that our wish will never be fulfilled. Both of these responses are at odds with the truth that our original desires are spirit given and that our soul intention is for these desires to be fulfilled.

Our wishes and desires are inherently benevolent and good. They are an expression of our innate ability as incarnated spirit beings to create, attract and manifest. They are conceived by our Higher Self, the Spirit and the Divine, and are therefore meant to be fulfilled!

It is also true that our spirit-inspired desires can become distorted or twisted, usually when we try to control everything or force the fulfilment of ego-driven impulses and desires. Negatively, these instances can indeed have undesirable and harmful consequences. But in their original form, all our wishes and desires are God-given.

So if all desires in their original form are inherently good, as long as we remain in alignment and trust the universal flow, how does anger affect the fulfilment of our God-given desires? On the surface, anger does not seem very aligned or ‘in the flow’. How can anger be considered spiritual?

To fully understand the wisdom and value of anger (and other negative emotions) and how it can affect the fulfilment of our desires, we must come to terms with two essential spiritual principles of manifestation:

The Mystical Power Of Faith

The first important spiritual principle to understand about the manifestation process is that our life experiences unfold based on our faith and mental focus. As creative spirit entities, we manifest realities based on our personal beliefs. Our beliefs are so powerful that they continually expand or limit our realities. Faith or belief is a creative force within each of us that drives the manifestation process.

This spiritual principle is confirmed in many ancient texts and spiritual teachings. In Christianity, for example, faith is a central concept. The Bible emphasises in numerous verses the importance of faith in manifesting miracles and bringing about desired results. For example, Jesus often performed miracles in response to people’s faith, such as healing the sick or raising the dead. Jesus also said that with enough faith a person could move a mountain.

In Buddhism, the power of faith is often seen in the context of the mind’s role in shaping reality. The concept of ‘mindfulness’ emphasises the importance of one’s thoughts and beliefs in determining one’s experiences and perceptions of reality. The Buddha taught that by transforming one’s mind, one can overcome suffering and attain enlightenment. Another example is the concept of bhakti or devotion in Hindu philosophy. Devotees believe that their faith and devotion to a deity can bring blessings, protection and even liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture, discusses the power of faith and devotion at length.

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems — not people; to focus your energies on answers — not excuses ~ William Arthur Ward

The Divine Source Of Abundance

The second important principle of manifestation is that we are all connected to an infinite and powerful source of abundance and benevolence that fulfils our desires. Known to us as God, Source, Spirit, the Divine, the Universe, it is a central concept in many spiritual and religious traditions. There is a limitless and omnipotent energy or higher power from which all things come and to which all things return.

Since we are creators of our own realities and co-creators of our shared realities, we must also be connected to a limitless source of abundance or filfilment. This universal or divine source is not limited by material and human constraints and has the potential to bring about profound transformations in our lives and in the world around us. Our ability to manifest is enhanced when we connect with this infinite source of creative energy.

Many spiritual traditions teach the importance of faith and surrender in connecting with the divine source. By surrendering our egoic desires and trusting in the wisdom and benevolence of the universe, we open ourselves to receive guidance, support and abundance from the infinite source. Becoming aligned with this infinite source reflects a profound understanding of the nature of reality and our place within it. It invites us to awaken to our inherent potential as creators and co-creators while acknowledging the sacredness and interconnectedness of all existence.

The Wisdom Of Anger

So, back to the experience of anger. First of all, it is important not to see anger as something ‘bad’ as this is counterproductive to the manifestation process. Anger is not inherently bad or inherently good. It is an energy vibration. It just is. All energy permeating the universe is inherently neutral. This neutrality means that spiritual energy itself is neither good nor bad; it simply exists.

How neutral energy ultimately manifests in our lives is determined by our intentions, thoughts, beliefs and actions. Positive intentions and actions lead to the manifestation of uplifting, harmonious or beneficial realities, while negative intentions and actions lead to experiences that are discordant, harmful or undesirable.

I am sure you have seen in your own situation that when you try to resist your anger, it only increases or finds a way to express itself in other ways. This can often manifest in addictions, relationship difficulties, violent behaviour and other self-destructive patterns. It is the outer manifestation of an inner reality. The dilemma here is not that anger is bad, but that the vibration of anger (and all the pain experiences we go through) will not go away until its purpose or higher truth is revealed and acknowledged.

So, when you experience anger, don’t try to suppress, deny or reject it. Instead, accept it and ask the anger what it is teaching you. This is not a rational or logical exercise. For example, sometimes when I feel anger it tells me to cry or even scream at the top of my lungs. But when I work with pain, I find that it always carries a message. The most consistent message I receive is that it represents an area of my life where I am not in alignment with the goodness of God. Usually it is because I do not believe and trust that God will fulfil my spiritually inspired desires.

Sometimes the anger is from the past. It is emotional pain associated with attachments to the past. For example, I had some financial problems when I was younger. So when I experience money anxiety now, it is often an echo of those past struggles and hardships. My ego has an ongoing fear story that it can use to prove that my financial needs cannot be met by the Universal Source of Abundance.

My ego attachment to this fear-based story from my past is not conducive to my God-given desires. In essence, if I choose to believe that my innate desires for financial prosperity are not good because they may never be fulfilled, then I am denying the reality that they are spirit given. I am out of alignment and trying to manifest with resistance and lack of awareness rather than trusting the flow with an abundance mindset. Until I align with the reality that there are enough resources to fulfil these desires, I will never find actual fulfilment.

Anger will only delay or block the manifestation of your desires when it is denied or disregarded, causing it to fester and become a toxic and destrutive force in your life. By accepting your anger instead as a message or sign, and working through it in a healthy way, rather than trying to suppress or ignore it, you will come back into alignment with your highest good and empower yourself to manifest your God-given desires.

Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change ~ Malcolm X

Strategies For Expressing Anger

Strategies for expressing and processing anger in healthy and empowering ways include:

Acknowledge and validate: Recognise that it’s okay to feel angry and acknowledge the validity of your feelings. Avoid suppressing or denying your feelings, as this can lead to internalised bitterness and resentment.

Pause and reflect: Before you react impulsively, take a moment to pause and reflect on what triggered your anger. Identify the underlying emotions and thoughts that are contributing to your anger, as well as any patterns or triggers that may be recurring.

Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind and body. Mindfulness can help you observe your anger without being overwhelmed by it, and respond more skilfully.

Practice spirituality: Engage in prayer, metta meditation, affirmations, rituals or ceremonies that focus on releasing anger and cultivating forgiveness, love and peace within yourself and towards others. This could include lighting candles, burning sage or incense, or performing rituals that symbolise releasing anger and inviting peace and healing. Repeat affirmations such as “I release anger and embrace peace” or “I forgive myself and others for any harm caused”. Use journaling as a tool for self-discovery, healing and transformation.

Service and compassion: Instead of giving in to feelings of frustration and anger about injustices you encounter in the world, do something to help alleviate or change them. Engage in acts of service, compassion and activism to channel your anger into positive action and contribute to the greater good. Volunteer your time, skills or resources to help those in need and foster a sense of connection, purpose and spiritual fulfilment.

Communicate assertively: Express your anger assertively and respectfully, using “I” statements to communicate your feelings, needs and limits. Avoid blaming or criticising others and focus on constructive expression.

Set boundaries: Set clear boundaries to protect yourself from situations or behaviours that trigger your anger. Communicate your boundaries firmly and consistently, and be prepared to enforce them if necessary.

Physical activity: Channel your anger into physical activity or exercise, such as going for a walk, practicing yoga or hitting a punching bag. Physical activity can help release pent-up energy and tension while promoting a sense of relaxation and well-being.

Creative outlets: Express your anger through creative outlets such as writing, drawing, painting or playing music. Creative expression can be a healthy and constructive way to process emotions and gain insight into your feelings.

Seek support: Talk to trusted friends, family or a therapist for support and validation. Talking about your feelings with someone you trust can help you gain perspective and explore healthy ways to deal with your anger.

The one who is not agitated in mind in spite of the threefold miseries, or elated when there is happiness, and is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind ~ Bhagavad Gita 2.56

Next time you feel angry, remind yourself that the great spiritual teachers, such as Jesus and Buddha, have all taught us that holding onto anger only perpetuates suffering and separation. Instead, they advocated responding to anger with love, compassion and forgiveness, recognising the interconnectedness of all beings and the transformative power of empathy and understanding.

In fact, while Jesus is typically characterized by his teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness, he also experienced and expressed negative emotions such as anger or frustration in response to certain situations. However, his anger was often directed at actions or behaviors perceived as unjust or hypocritical, rather than at individuals themselves.

One notable example is found in the Gospels when Jesus cleanses the temple. Matthew 21:12-13 tells the story of Jesus entering the temple courts to drive out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'”

In Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha, experienced various human emotions before attaining enlightenment. While the Buddha’s teachings emphasize overcoming suffering, including anger, through the Noble Eightfold Path and the practice of mindfulness, there are accounts suggesting that he experienced anger prior to his enlightenment.

One such story involves an incident where the Buddha encountered a group of ascetics who criticized him and his followers. Initially, the Buddha felt anger rising within him, but he later reflected on the situation and responded with compassion and understanding. This event is often cited as an example of the Buddha’s ability to recognize and overcome anger through mindful awareness and insight.

Acknowledge, contemplate and channel anger constructively whenever it arises in your life. It has the potential for great wisdom and healing to manifest abundance and prosperity in your life.