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Self-Defense: Interpreting & Handling Anger, Part 1 [The Warrior Tradition] by Mark Hatmaker

 


We shall run through three disciplines to interpret anger and marvel at the commonalities in the Indigenous Warrior tradition and modern science findings.

And from there draw conclusions on how to interpret and deal with anger in the self, interpersonal relationships, online interactions, and, at the dire end of the scale…aggressive physical anger.

Let us begin with our Indigenous Warrior Wisdom.

“Good and evil cannot dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil company.”—Wisdom of the Delaware Warrior

·        I find it continually fascinating [and endlessly useful] that the indigenous wisdom always [always] begins with the SELF.

·        Our default “modern” wisdom is “Look at what is wrong with them!”

·        “Why are they behaving so poorly?”

The Indigenous Warrior maxims begins by aiming the cognitive arrow at the self…

“Why am I behaving this way?”

“Why am I falling short?”

Beginning with the arrow at one’s own heart, the indigenous warrior knows that is the ONLY target-correction that CAN be made. 

I can adjust MY behavior.

NEVER that of another.

I can always examine, diagnose and alter my behavior.

And while I cannot alter the behavior of another, I can use the wisdom of behavior modification on myself and in dealing with others—“What are the best tactics for dealing with this person[s] before me?”

As we proceed in this series, we will see how science confirms the indigenous wisdom and offers new shadings. Shadings that allow us to better interpret another, deal with another and feel nothing but shame when we behave as churls.

Let’s listen to the Delaware Wisdom again…

“Good and evil cannot dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil company.”—Wisdom of the Delaware Warrior

·        Notice we are advised to stay out of evil company.

·        Here, that company being ourselves.

·        We are what we express at any given moment.

·        We cannot declare ourselves as loving decent human beings while at the same time ranting and raving about some punctilious point of order in current events.

·        We are our most common modes of behavior---hopefully loving virtuous human beings more often than not.

·        We are recognized by our most salient data points-- hopefully bold, courageous and loving acts.

·        Our common behavior is the root of us. If it is rancor, well…

·        Our most memorable exhibitions of behavior also define us and alter our histories in the eyes of others.

·        I may be an exemplary running back, or an affable TV ad pitchman, but my slaughtering of two people in a jealous rage is the salient data point that cancels/diminishes all else.

The Delaware Wisdom again…

“Good and evil cannot dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil company.”—Wisdom of the Delaware Warrior

·        We warn our children, “Don’t hang with a bad crowd.”

·        Or we shake our heads at certain peer groups and [rightfully] worry about their influence.

·        The Golden Wisdom of the Delaware tells us, WE are our Peer Group, WE are in the company of whatever exists in our hearts at the time.

·        We are warned, yes, bad influences do exist “out there,” but the Delaware reminds us the most damaging influences are the ones that reside in our very breasts as we cannot walk away from what’s inside ourselves.

In Part 2, we will look at what psychology has to say about the Strategy of Anger, that’s right, strategy, and what it says about those who use this tool [weapon, in some cases.]

Understanding the strategy’s motivation can make us ashamed to use it ourselves and help us to thwart it when we encounter it.

In Part 3, we will go gene-deep and look at fascinating studies that show how astonishing humans are at anger/aggression detection.

How that is manna in pre-reading self-defense situations.

And…triple-down on the childish weakness of those who use it.

Shots will be fired.

All manifestations of pique, from violence to traffic tantrums, to the gleeful sharing of bad news on social media all provide an unflattering tell of character and soul.

May we all be of the Delaware Warrior strain and leave the “displays” to the children.

“Mabiso’ aihit’u ucum’a t’zare en’e pihi’si’ap’u ke’ke’hen’a ohn’a.”

[Comanche Warrior Proverb: “An angry man is a cowardly stupid baby.”]

Resources for Livin’ the Warrior Life, Not Just Readin’ About It

The Black Box Warehouse

The Rough ‘n’ Tumble Raconteur Podcast



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