Embracing Love and Rage: An Interview with Lama Rod Owens

Lama Rod Owens is a renowned Buddhist minister, author, activist, yoga instructor, and authorized Lama in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. In his recent book, 'Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger,' he shares his personal journey with rage and offers a unique perspective on how to transform anger into a path towards liberation. I had the privilege of speaking with Lama Rod Owens about his work and experiences.

According to Lama Rod Owens, anger can be a powerful force that gets in the way of our own liberation if we are not mindful of it. In his book, he shares his personal journey of internalizing the belief that his anger was dangerous from a young age. Through his story, he shows how anger can be a manifestation of deeper wounds and traumas that need to be acknowledged and addressed.

As someone who has worked extensively with anger, Lama Rod Owens emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between disembodied anger and embodied anger. Disembodied anger is anger that is disconnected from our bodily experiences and emotions, while embodied anger is anger that arises from a deep sense of woundedness and trauma. He argues that disembodied anger can be destructive and harmful, while embodied anger can be a powerful catalyst for change and transformation.

Lama Rod Owens also discusses his own struggles with depression and how it has influenced his work as a Buddhist teacher. He emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding in working with mental health issues. For him, Buddhism is not just about achieving enlightenment, but also about cultivating compassion and loving-kindness towards oneself and others.

In addition to his book, Lama Rod Owens will be offering an 8-week online course called 'Consuming the World,' beginning April 11th, 2022. This course will explore the teachings of lojong, or mind-training, which is a set of Buddhist teachings designed to transform our minds by turning away from self-centeredness and cultivating mental habits that generate bodhicitta.

Lojong teaches us to cultivate compassion and understanding towards ourselves and others by using pithy slogans and practices. These slogans help us transcend our egotism and put down the baggage we are carrying, allowing us to live with more compassion and gentleness. Lama Rod Owens emphasizes the importance of studying these teachings diligently and incorporating them into our daily lives.

In conclusion, Lama Rod Owens' work offers a unique perspective on how to work with anger and cultivate compassion in our daily lives. His book 'Love and Rage' is a powerful exploration of his personal journey with rage and offers practical advice for transforming anger into a path towards liberation. If you are interested in learning more about Lama Rod's work, I highly recommend reading his book or following him on social media.

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