Aggression: An Expression of Life Energy?

How can reacting badly ever be viewed as good?

When we welcome whatever is being experienced we sometimes encounter hateful, aggressive or rejecting attitudes.  When preferring to be "kind" or "good", we will struggle to meet such inner parts with unconditional acceptance.  How, then, is it ever possible to love all aspects of ourselves unconditionally, let alone ever love someone else who has attacked us?

A clue to the answer lies in the word "struggle" above.  This indicates that two parts of one's self are in opposition to each other.  Whatever is preferring to be kind or good is opposing anything that it perceives to be not kind or good.  In essence this represents an internal reaction by one part of the self to turn away from or even reject another part. Sound familiar?  A previous journal entry introduced the idea that the source of suffering is the mind, which utilizes a dualistic approach.

The great news is that it is possible to create an unconditionally loving space to hold any and all opposing parts:  decide to deeply and compassionately sense into and explore the sources, strategies, conditions, and energies that created and maintain each one.  Trust that each one represents a significant investment of Life Energy which remains unavailable until the dualistic "standoff" is fully attended, accepted, and appreciated for what it is.  Integrate this approach into being with one's self (and others, if possible) on a regular basis. Through such Radical Acceptance Practice we notice that "shift happens!"

from Radical Acceptance Practice, The Workshop