Column

A flood here, a bolt of lightening there, a Katrina elsewhere. Nature will use water, wind, lava, heat, snow, mist and cold — the elements it has at its disposal,much as we use guns and bombs to destroy. But the fury of a sudden blinding blizzard, the ferocity of a hailstorm, the terror of torrential rain pounding away on your windowpanes gives way to a soothing calm. It is the stunning silence of wrath.

Only nature can produce that deep tingle of nerves, that unmistakable feeling of sheer balance and poise. The stillness after a squall or a typhoon is nature’s way of showing that everything must give in to a state of equilibrium— harmony comes from an understanding of, and respect for, that which is natural.

Storms and squalls must pass, tsunamis must recede, and earthquakes must end. Are these ways of re-arranging life, moving the blocks around so that we become more aware of the possibilities around us? Is this a way of destroying the numbness that we have become accustomed to and bringing change, renewal and new ways of life that may even be necessary? With Nature, who can tell? Mother Earth produces tender shoots after the most terrible of droughts. They say dung is no saint, but where it falls, flowers begin to bloom.

We have much to learn from this: wrath is a part of life. It is destructive and harsh. It is real. But when it gives way, life renews itself, almost as if it were cleansed—much like bloodletting. We do not know why this cruelty in nature is ordained. Could it be nature’s way of telling us that the fury building within us is to be accepted?

The sea too has its own lesson to teach all of us: Walk bare feet in the shallow waters on the seashore and your feet will eventually get cut by the rocks that lie waiting beneath. But the water of the ocean will immediately start to heal you. That’s the magic of the sea — it cuts and heals at the same time.

Anger, rage, resentment and wrath cannot be contained. They are not meant to remain within us, pollute us. They must expend themselves. And magically, they are followed by healing, calm, regeneration, celebration. And so it must be with us: Is it in you to provide the healing that comes after wrath? May it never be otherwise.

—The author is co-founder of Wildcraft, an outdoor and adventure gear company.