Our mind is often the stage for the acting out of a recurring dialogue between two conflicting parts of our psyche. In people with mental disorders, one of these voices—inner aggression—can take over or “possess” the consciousness of these individuals and command them to commit … [Read more...] about The Futile Dialogue in Our Head
inner passivity
Lost in the Fog of Inner Passivity
All of us have in our psyche an aspect or feature that goes by the name of inner passivity. This hindrance to our creativity, self-fulfillment, and humanity may be the most difficult thing for us to see and understand about ourselves. Inner passivity produces a wide range of … [Read more...] about Lost in the Fog of Inner Passivity
The Private Joke behind Our Laughter
Insight is a good thing, and insight into where our laughter comes from not only can spare us a lot of misery but is worth a laugh in itself. Still, as one witty writer said, “Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” Despite … [Read more...] about The Private Joke behind Our Laughter
How Deeper Insight Relieves Stress
As I sit at my desk writing about stress, I can feel some tension stirring in my body. Outside my home office where I write, construction workers are noisily building a new house. Work will go on next door for a few more months. No doubt I’ll feel the nuisance of the noise at … [Read more...] about How Deeper Insight Relieves Stress
Taming the “Little Monsters” of Insomnia
“I’ve always envied people who sleep easily,” one insomniac wrote. “Their brains must be cleaner, the floorboards of their skull well-swept, and all the little monsters closed up in a steamer truck at the foot of their bed.” People can have trouble sleeping for lots of … [Read more...] about Taming the “Little Monsters” of Insomnia