Here we stand, aggressively destroying our planet while passively letting it happen. We simply don’t have a lot of insight into two primitive aspects of our mental and emotional functioning—aggression and passivity. Certainly we need some amount of aggression—make that healthy … [Read more...] about Our Messy Mix of Aggression and Passivity
Search Results for: inner passivity
The Tyrant that Rules Our Inner Life
Much suffering is produced through our relationship with our inner critic. This part of our psyche is also called the superego or self-aggression. It’s an authoritarian aspect or agency in our psyche that holds us accountable for any real or imagined shortcomings or failures. The … [Read more...] about The Tyrant that Rules Our Inner Life
How to Rescue Yourself from Suffering
Trying to access our inner life can feel like entering an underworld of dark, nonsensical obscurity. When we’re in emotional distress, how do we penetrate this darkness? How do we rescue ourselves from suffering and self-defeat? Whatever misery or ineptitude we’re … [Read more...] about How to Rescue Yourself from Suffering
Finding in Self the Richness of Being
I suspect we’re all on a treasure hunt. The treasure we’re looking for is our better self, or authentic self, or True Self. Lots of people get waylaid, and they go looking for treasures of lesser importance. In our searching, higher aspirants look for knowledge, truth, and … [Read more...] about Finding in Self the Richness of Being
Sports Fans and Their Discontents
The Superbowl is done for another year. With other sports to watch, fans have plenty of other opportunities to grieve over their favorite team’s losses. That’s the thing—fans who agonize over their team’s defeats are getting into emotional mischief. I’m not picking on … [Read more...] about Sports Fans and Their Discontents