Twinn Swan

In the tapestry of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, anger and illness are intricately woven together. Anger, referred to as krodha, is a potent poison. It is one of the five kleshas impurities which obstruct and obscure the path to enlightenment. Vajrayana suggests that expressing anger creates a negative imprint on your subtle energy body. This imprint acts like a “cord” connecting you to the object of your anger, perpetuating negativity for both parties.

The idea aligns with the principle of karma. When we express our rage, it leaves a negative imprint on our subtle energy body. This emotional imprint acts like an unseen cord, tethering us to the object of our anger and perpetuating the negativity, both for them, as well as for us.

Vajrayana posits a network of channels and chakras coursing throughout our body, carrying vital energy. Anger disrupts this flow by creating energetic blockages. These imbalances are the root cause of various ailments, manifesting in physical symptoms like: high blood pressure, digestive troubles and even heart disease. Anger can further weaken our defences, making us more susceptible to illness.

Vajrayana doesn’t advocate for blind suppression of anger. Instead, it offers transformative practices. The first step is recognising the emotion and tracing it back to its source. Imagine arguing with a close friend. The anger you express leaves an imprint on your subtle energy, causing blockages. This can manifest as headaches, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating. Additionally, the karmic cord can create tension and distance in your friendship.

This physical and emotional discomfort is a manifestation of the energetic imbalance caused by your anger. The karmic link with your friend creates a persistent tension, making it hard to relax or focus on anything else. This negative cycle can continue to snowball, impacting your overall well-being and potentially leading to further health problems or strained relationships.

By observing the emotion, you begin to understand the fuel that feeds it. Was it a feeling of injustice? A perceived slight? Identifying the root cause allows you to address it directly, preventing similar situations in the future. Once you identify the fuel – the feeling of injustice or a perceived slight – Vajrayana encourages delving deeper.

Is there a past experience that colours your reaction? Is there an underlying fear or insecurity that gets triggered? By exploring these deeper layers, you can gain a more nuanced understanding of the anger’s origin. Perhaps the person revealed their anger was acting out of their own pain. A specific emotional vulnerability was triggered: perhaps the fear of abandonment or a need for control? Understanding these triggers allows you to address them directly, preventing anger from taking hold in the first place.

Remember: it is always easier to prevent a situation than have to do damage control later on. By that time, it may be too late.