The Ability to be Outraged

What happens when you react in a fit of anger? Confucius advised, “When anger arises, think of the consequences,” and much the same has been retold in different words. The problem is that when we get enraged, we rarely think, we just react. Acting in anger can be injurious not only to health but might impact others adversely as well. However, the presumption that anger necessarily is something to be apologetic about needs to be questioned. Equally, anger per se is not welcome, and rage — depending on how it is manifested — may be counterproductive. But a complete inability to get angry at anything is not necessarily a sign of having attained nirvana; it often is a sign of nothing more profound than being passive or disinterested. Is it advisable to remain indifferent, not reacting to anything? Sometimes, it is our sense of outrage that reveals to us what really matters to us. Anger clouds thinking. However, there are times when the heart rules the mind — and this is not always all that bad. The heart sets the agenda for our lives and the mind is but an instrument to realise that agenda; therefore, thought has its limitations. Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that passion, fear and rage need to be transcended. Yet, he also goads a reluctant Arjuna to stand up and fight a battle that represents right against wrong. The concept of battling injustice revolves around the presumption that we are driven to outrage at what is not fair. If we are not upset with things going wrong, what will impel us to set them right?

Source: Economic Times, 21/08/2019