Nelson Mandela’s greatness was most visible in his power to overthrow—through his courage, compassion, and peaceful manner—the brutality and murderous ways of the Apartheid regime. He was an ordinary man, he said, as he counseled us to find our own greatness. How do we acquire … [Read more...] about Curbing Our Appetite for Brutality
Inner Passivity
The Futility of Compulsive Approval-Seeking
Using brain imaging, researchers have discovered that pleasure is activated in the brain when people get positive feedback concerning their reputation or character. These researchers do not appear to understand that such pleasure is not necessarily genuine or healthy. A … [Read more...] about The Futility of Compulsive Approval-Seeking
Overcoming a Type of Resistance to Studying
This topic is addressed as an exchange of e-mails between me and a visitor to this website. Reader’s comment: I have always been a studious person. Grades were important . . . I was also interested in learning and still am. However, now that I’m at university I’m avoiding … [Read more...] about Overcoming a Type of Resistance to Studying
The Human Weakness behind Alcoholism
Many alcoholics and addictive personalities resist the idea that their plight is in any way due to character weakness. Any such allegation, they feel, categorizes them as substandard people who are to blame for their troubles. Weakness of character or “moral weakness” is not what … [Read more...] about The Human Weakness behind Alcoholism
Achieving Inner Freedom
We’re not as free as we think, even if we do live in a democratic country. People who have achieved substantial political freedom can still be sorely lacking in psychological freedom. We’re likely to feel like prisoners of fate when emotional conflicts limit our creativity and … [Read more...] about Achieving Inner Freedom