Online: Understanding Anger – A Trauma-Informed Approach (Two-Part Workshop)
with Amma Thanasanti
Saturdays, January 17th and 24th, 2026 | 9:30am – 12:30pm ET
Not all anger is the same.
Anger is often treated as a single emotion to be suppressed, managed, or released. In our life and practice, it arises in distinct ways, each with its own causes, functions, and implications.
This two-part online series explores anger through a more nuanced lens, helping participants discern which expressions of anger can be worked with skillfully in meditation and which signal the need for additional forms of support.
Working with Different Forms of Anger
In this workshop, we will explore situational irritation, boundary-protecting anger, righteous anger, and trauma-based rage, examining what each is communicating and why different approaches are required. Participants will explore the protective and informative nature of anger and learn how to listen to it without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down.
When Meditation Is—and Isn’t—Enough
The program also addresses why standard meditation instructions sometimes fall short when working with anger, and how to recognize when meditation practice is helpful—and when additional therapeutic or trauma-informed support is needed.
Participants will be introduced to practical frameworks for working with everyday, low-risk anger; guidance for assessing personal patterns; and pathways for ongoing support, including trauma-informed therapy, Integrated Meditation Program (IMP), trauma-informed mindfulness approaches, and SHINE-based frameworks.
Format and Approach
This is an educational and lightly experiential workshop grounded in trauma-informed principles. Experiential exercises will work only with mild, present-moment irritation and are always optional. This is not a space for trauma processing or deep emotional work.
Sessions include teaching, guided mindfulness practices with clear boundaries, individual reflection, optional small-group pattern recognition (not processing), and time for questions and resource guidance.
Who This Program Is For
This workshop is well suited for meditation practitioners who want to work more skillfully with anger, who sense that their current practice has not fully addressed their anger patterns, or who are curious about trauma-informed approaches to difficult emotions.
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of different types of anger, tools for working with everyday irritation and frustration, greater confidence in discerning what kind of support their anger patterns call for, and concrete next steps for ongoing practice or care.
Schedule
Four 90-minute sessions:
Session 1: The landscape of anger
Session 2: Working with low-risk anger
Session 3: When meditation isn’t enough
Session 4: Resources and pathways forward
Dates: January 17 and January 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 am–12:30 pm Eastern Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this appropriate for beginners?
A: This workshop is designed for anyone with some meditation experience who wants to understand anger more deeply. No advanced practice required.
Q: What if I get activated during the workshop?
A: We use trauma-informed approaches with clear boundaries. You control your engagement level, can step away anytime, and the facilitator is available for support. Activation is treated as useful information about what you need, not a problem.
Q: Will I process my trauma?
A: No. This workshop helps you understand your anger patterns and find appropriate resources for deeper work. We work only with mild, present-moment experiences.
Q: Is the small group sharing required?
A: No. All experiential components are optional. You can work individually throughout if you prefer.
Q: What’s the difference between this and therapy?
A: This is education and awareness-building, not therapy. It will help you recognize what kind of support you need and where to find it.
Q: Will recordings be available?
A: Yes, recordings will be sent to all registrants within a few days of each session.
Online Registration:
Please register below. If you are able, registering at the “Supporter” level enables others to attend at the “Subsidized” level. Thank you for your generosity! (Please note that the registration price includes a base level of teacher support, and you will have the opportunity to donate more after the program.)
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Bring a Buddy: If you are a member of our Circle of Friends, you’re invited to bring a Dharma buddy to this program for no additional cost. Simply select “1” from the drop-down next to the Bring a Buddy level, and enter your special discount code (provided in your Circle of Friends welcome email) to reduce the price to that of a single, standard registration. This registration will grant attendance for you and your buddy.
Volunteering
All of our programs rely on volunteers to support our teachers and staff with various tasks and responsibilities. Volunteering allows you to participate in our programs at no cost. To inquire about volunteering opportunities, please fill out our inquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Teacher(s)
Amma Thanasanti
Amma Thanasanti has practiced meditation for over 45 years and has been teaching since 1989. She spent 26 years as a Theravada Buddhist nun, including 20 years in Ajahn Chah monasteries. Her teachers have included Dipa Ma, Ajahn Chah, and the Dalai Lama.
She is the Spiritual Director of Awakening Truth and founded the Integrated Meditation Program (IMP), which brings attachment repair and trauma-informed tools to address baseline patterns that meditation alone may not shift. She also developed the SHINE meditation practice, which helps practitioners access positive states to build resilience alongside working with difficult emotions. She is currently writing a book on anger from a trauma-informed Buddhist perspective.
Thanasanti teaches nationally and is committed to making dharma practice accessible, healing, and transformative for diverse practitioners. Her teaching integrates profound insight experiences, early Buddhist teachings, nature-based wisdom, and embodied knowing.