How Do We Handle the Rage in Our Hearts? A Response to Rage on Social Media

August 12, 2017

4:37 PM

About a Car and Driver Mauling a Crowd of Anti-fascism Protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia:

I'm sitting in my office watching my newsfeed on Facebook while trying to control my breathing. Let me back up and say this may be one of the most unrefined and personal blogs I will post on my site, but I feel it is required. Right now I am a human watching other humans hate and injure humans out of a place of anger and rage. I'm crying, my heart is aching, and I am angry and enraged. Part of my work on myself as a light-worker and spiritual being has been on my personal issues with rage and angst based in anger. Anger was something that bubbled under the surface of me through all of my 30s and into my 40s. In fact, until just recently I have lived with rage in my heart and anger in my soul. It was only in April of 2017 when I suffered a medical issue with my heart that I truly let go of the power anger and rage had over me. 

However, I know that these negative emotions never go away. I'm feeling them as I type. I have tears clouding my vision--literally and figuratively I always want to see things as they are.  But, as a light worker there are teachings that focus on the world being how we choose to see it. There is such a beauty in that, but how do I maintain the positivity of my desires when I open my social media and see anti-fascist protestors being mauled by a Dodge Charger and crushed between two other cars? Where is the balance here? Where is discernment? I see people in my newsfeed saying to pray for peace and that two wrongs don't make a right. Others say an eye for an eye and want vigilante justice. What do I do when neither side of this coin appeals to me? 

Another friend posted something that has been resonating with me since I saw the news about the car and driver that mauled a group of people in Charlottesville, Virginia. She wrote about American President Trump saying, "Say what you will, but we have to reflect on how Trump pulled hate's mask completely off and now we have to look at our ugly selves." That is what I have also been feeling. It's not just Trump and America, though. This is global. I speak with clients in New Zealand, Australia, and England and their social structures are also breaking down in fear and violence because of racial and socioeconomic crises. And that is what we are ALL in right now...a global crisis. 

Where does that leave any of us as a human race? How do I justify being angry but also being a light-worker and a spiritual being whose focus is on love, recovery, and the healing of the planet? If I talk about meditating over this violence does that make me delusional and lazy? If I rage and say that the alt-right white nationalists deserve to be drug through the streets and brought to violent justice am I a part of the problem? I guess the real question is, "How do I feel empowered while I also feel so completely out of control?" I feel a need for control comes from a place of ego. We must figure out how to release the ego in ourselves before we can heal. And releasing it is not an eye for an eye, but is it not destroying the self in confidence to turn the other cheek? Also, how do I do this while keeping my privilege in check and not speaking from a place of white female entitlement? How do I do this "right"? Is it all about us each being "right"? 

Ego has us each desperately grasping for control over our own realities when they do not correspond with other realities. I changed my name from Kally to Kali, in part, for that reason. I wanted to control my part of the world and how I am seen through message. I wanted a name that spoke for me in narrative and not action. Oddly, The Hindu Goddess Kali's story is relevant to this post. The story of Kali goes; when the ego sees Kali it trembles because it sees its eventual demise. A person of ego will never see Kali or understand her compassion, they will only see her in wrath. I have also always felt those who see me in ego will never truly see me, much like the Goddess. What Kali shows is that violence is nothing more then the ego's need to be seen in action? Wrath, an action, is an expression of the ego.

I prefer to be a storyteller in this moment. I prefer to use my words over my actions right now because I actually fear my potential of negative actions that stem from a place of rage. Maybe discussing my fears will cause someone who reads this to understand themselves a little better and not act from a place of fear, shame, anger, and rage. The difficulty of this for me is that for the last several years I have learned the most by watching people's actions and allowing that to define who they are... that has been my reality. Maybe this is part of the balance for me that has gotten me back to being a social activist writer in this post.

I hope that this post resonates with people and allows someone to understand their own rage and let go of ego a little bit. We must enjoy who we are, but respect others to enjoy themselves. We have to be honest with each other without immediately wanting to resolve differences in opinion with violence. We have to not fearfully anticipate violence because we fear not being understood. We have to think, and then act. We have to somehow be grateful in the midst of it all and not devalue basic needs and the intrinsic value of the planet. But most of all we have to acknowledge all of this while also letting go of the need to control it all.

We need to value each other in creation regardless of who we believe created us and why we were created. I feel this is possible if we let go of the ego and live without it for awhile. I know this is possible. I believe with all of me that we can all be better than our traumatic events.  

Healing Your Root Chakra

Root Chakra pilots the life lessons of survival in the material world. This Chakra holds information involving loyalty, superstitions and beliefs, and your ability to stand up for yourself. An individual's sense of safety, self esteem, and security are based here.

An imbalance of the root chakra can manifest through a lack of interest in survival in the “real world”, addictions and obsessions, selfishness, restlessness, volatile emotions and a lack of vitality. An imbalance can manifest through existential and relationship issues, obsession over money, mistrust of others, binge eating, and irrational fears of threats to your surroundings.

Chakra imbalances can go in both directions. Excessive focus on root chakra can cause feelings of aggression, agitation, anger and too much energy flow in a hostile manner. A deficit in balance of root chakra can cause sluggishness and a lack of motivation and energy. 

Red is the color associated with your root chakra, but brown, black, and grey are also tied to the chakra. Gemstones such as bloodstone, hematite, garnet, ruby, black tourmaline, onyx, fire agate, star ruby, smoky quartz, and red jasper are stones that assist in balancing the root chakra. Root vegetables--especially sweet potatoes fuel the root chakra as do proteins like eggs, meat, soy, tofu, nuts and nut butters. Spices that nurture balance are those that are associated with heat: cayenne, pepper, horseradish, paprika, chili powder, and chives. Earthy scents like patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and frankincense. 

Earthing is one of the best ways to balance the root chakra. Earthing is a barefoot connection to the Earth. Walking barefoot on grass, sand, dirt or rock can diminish chronic pain, fatigue and other ailments that hinder spiritual and personal development for people. When we walk on the natural ground free electrons are drawn into the body. These electrons could be referred to as nature’s biggest antioxidants that help heal damage in the body that causes inflammation and disease. 

The chant "Lam" promotes balance of the root chakra. "Lam" is a perfect chant if your energy is low, your are struggling with your self-esteem, and are concerned about your finances. This chant will open you up to prosperity, security, and a sense of belonging. 

If you suspect you have an imbalance or block of the root chakra begin with focusing of mindfulness. Slow down. Focus on your breathing. Dance and get on your feet. Reiki is good in helping balancing all chakra. To schedule an reiki session or a private reading with me email me at kali@kalimeister.com. Namaste. 

Cancer

Cancer: The Prophet and Teacher

Element: Water

Ruling Planet: Moon

Symbol: Crab

Governed by: Chest 

Lucky Day: Monday

Color: White

Best Locations: Any natural body of water

Traits: Sensitive, Protective, and Mothering

I am getting the opportunity to watch a little cancer girl grow into a adorable tween. And, she is very cancer. These folks are the most sensitive people you will ever meet—she is a flirtatious sweet sensitive cuddle monster. Cancer’s emotions run very deep and they are genuine in how they feel about things. They are incredibly loving and those born under this sign are patron saints and advocates for the protection of the weak and downtrodden. They love animals and usually have at least one pet. In fact, they sometimes collect animals. They have so much heart—they are ruled by their chests. When thinking of what it is like to be a cancer just think of their symbol the crab. Crabs have tough shells that guard an incredibly soft interior, and if you poke at a crab long enough they will skitter off sideways—understand the sideways motion is because they will never attack, but they will also never back down. A sideways angle suits them just fine. 

Security is very important to cancer people. They require stability in their lives and can actually come off as fickle and inconsistent when they do not feel completely secure.  They need a space of their own to feel complete in the world and their homes are their castles--especially their bedrooms. Their bedrooms need to be places of calm solitude. They like a minimalist decor with shades of ocean and beach colors. They are people who will always be drawn to water because they are homebodies at heart and water is their element. If you want to make one adore you get them one of those white noise sound machines that plays hours of ocean waves. Keeping them calm is of high priority because they can have issues with fear and cling to bad situations thinking their love and support can change everything for the better. It is because of this that cancer can fall victim to stress-based illnesses that can turn into longterm battles for the cancer. 

On that note, the thing that cancers must overcome is resentment. And, this sign holds on to a grudge like nobody you will ever meet. The odd thing about these grudges is you may have no idea you have hurt the cancer until weeks, months, or even years later. Example: One Monday in May you forgot you scheduled lunch with them. They won’t say a word about it in the moment. They might be a tad cold or aloof for awhile, but they more than likely will not confront the issue in the moment. It is only after a lot of sideways motion that they will snap at something. It will be a random Sunday in December and you will have had a great time with them when suddenly they get sullen and with great pain they tell you that you have hurt their feelings... Deeply. You try to think of what you have done because the day has been perfect. Then they tell you how badly it hurt them when you forgot the lunch you planned with them seven months earlier. Why they didn’t address this issue seven months ago is beyond your understanding unless you are a cancer, also. Just understand that they are only telling you now because they have skittered sideways long enough to the point that they feel safe to address the issue with you now in a time where the heat of the moment will not turn violent or aggressive. Being safe is important to cancer, which is why it will feel odd they bring up past grievances much later when everything seems to be going positively, but cancer must feel that they can be sure of you and that there will be no heat of the moment confrontation. Confrontation is something that scares cancers. They have no place in their lives for violence. Also, imagine if they seem that upset seven months later how deep those emotions must have run for them seven months ago. 

If you can be patient with their tender hearts you will have someone in your life who will never forget your birthday, always knows exactly what makes you happy, and is the one person who will always come over and take care of you when you are sick. They can be the best friend you will ever have because it truly brings them pleasure to make you happy and often your smile is all the thanks that they need.