You would think one ego would be enough, especially if it’s notably vain, petty, grasping, and needy. But we appear to have four egos. Or, more likely, four dimensions of one big ego. Either way, becoming more conscious of these dimensions can help us to overcome the … [Read more...] about The Four Dimensions of Our Ego
Search Results for: psychological defenses
The Sheepishness of the Psyche: A One-Act Play
With this short play, I’m spoofing the practice of psychotherapy. This playful piece of writing serves as a holiday respite from my usual serious content. The old version of this post, published in 2017, is here. This revised version has a new character, a sheepdog named … [Read more...] about The Sheepishness of the Psyche: A One-Act Play
A Toxic Inner Process Afflicts Humanity
People who compulsively compare themselves to others are up to psychological mischief, to say nothing of the hurt they inflict on others. Self-defeat is built into this mental and emotional processing. People are making themselves miserable, yet they don’t even begin to realize … [Read more...] about A Toxic Inner Process Afflicts Humanity
Learning to See Ourselves Objectively
In one of his great poems, Robert Burns generously recognized wee Mousie, “earth-born companion, an’ fellow-mortal!” In another poem, he wrote (as rendered in modern English), “Oh would some Power the gift give us / to see ourselves as others see us!” Yes, that would … [Read more...] about Learning to See Ourselves Objectively
When Food is Used to Feed Inner Conflict
Food is not always used, as we know, for healthy nourishment. Often it serves an ulterior motive, as a way for us to sneak into psychological mischief and indulge our emotional appetite for unresolved inner conflict. When people struggle with overeating and weight gain, … [Read more...] about When Food is Used to Feed Inner Conflict