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tmsjptc
USA
124 Posts |
 Posted - 02/05/2013 : 11:14:18
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I was reading "The Road Less Traveled" by Dr. Scott Peck and saw something which struck me as an interesting insight that is related to TMS. He first published the book in 1978 and the reference to "slave owners" may be offensive to some but I don't think he meant it this way at all. Anyway, I'm just sharing with the group...
"The art of self discipline is like the art of slave owning. Feelings provide the energy that accomplishes the task of living. Since they work for us, we should treat our feelings with respect. But if we do not set limits to our feelings, and provide them with direction, like the slaves they will move into the mansion, raid the liquor cabinet and break the furniture. Soon we will be the slaves of our slaves, living in chaos. On the other hand, if we are obsessed with fear that our feelings might get out of control, and we routinely beat them into submission, in relatively short order our slaves will become less productive or turn toward covert rebellion. One night the slaves will rise up and burn down the mansion, often with the owner inside. Such is the genesis of certain psychoses. The proper management of feelings lies along a balanced middle path, requiring constant judgment and adjustment. Here the owner treats his feelings with respect, nurturing them with good food, shelter and medical care. Listening, responding, encouraging, yet also organizing and limiting them, deciding between them, redirecting and teaching them, all the while leaving no doubt who is boss. This is the path of healthy self-discipline." |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2013 : 12:17:23
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| Interesting analogy and no offence to the "slave" reference. My parents were both slaves--and worse--I'm over it, moving forward. |
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chickenbone
Panama
398 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2013 : 15:35:30
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I own and read this book also. I learned a lot from Dr. Peck. I think
this is good information. Feelings need to be regulated and monitored. Some never learn how to do that. I have always had problems with my feelings because of my difficult childhood. I never learned how to do this from emotionally healthy adults while I was growing up.
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2013 : 15:46:26
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The problem with wounded children is that they experince emotions they should not be exposed to or ones that come too early and are distorted.
Children before the age of about 10 or 12 do not have the cortex to properly process many emotions - especially those that are painful or complex |
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chickenbone
Panama
398 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2013 : 17:07:41
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You know, my parents were not really bad people. They just did not think that children had any emotional needs, only physical needs and that was challenging for them.
Despite taking psychology courses in college and having a Psychologist living right across the street, I never new this about early childhood until I was middle aged. I think I thought I was lucky to have escaped my childhood with life and limb, not to mention, sanity. I really see now how that affected me. I am very prone to fear and mistrust. |
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SLAVE OWNERS?
