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Portrait Of Fearful Thinking Patterns
Much distorted thinking is actually a blend of various defense mechanisms. Space does not permit a description of all of them. The one often referred to as "polarized thinking" covers the most ground, and in fact, is really the foundation for so many other patterns of distorted thinking. Much of what's described here are actually the expressions of the distorted thinking patterns.
Polarized thinking is also understood as "either / or", "black & white", "all or nothing" type thinking. It limits ambiguity through simplification. It attempts to deny the complex nature of the world. By contrast, from the perspective of expanded consciousness, complexity is natural because we are all creating according to our own individuality. Infinite variety naturally leads to complexity. Attempting to deny complexity is an exercise in self-delusion.
One can illustrate, graphically, the ways in which different people might look at things. For example, the most simplistic form could be represented by the straight line continuum. At one end is black; the other white, or, one end, all, the other nothing, or, left / right, 0 / 100. Limited consciousness sees only the extremes, the either / ors, never the in-betweens. Those more receptive to ambiguity do recognize the other positions, the gradations. By adding a vertical axis, we create a graph that considers the interrelationship of other variables. To consider even greater complexity, one can add another dimension, creating a cube, a three-dimensional graph so to speak. This is a much closer representation of the complexity of the universe (though the theoretical physicists talk of eleven or more dimensions), the reality of life and it's issues. On any issue, many variables co-exist.
So polarized thinking ignores nuance and, in essence, denies the dynamic nature of the world. It attempts to freeze time and restrict ideas. But the universe is such that new thoughts are continually forming into new expressions. Evolution is ongoing. Circumstances are constantly changing. The variables are in constant flux, weaving and intertwining. The universe is fluid-not static.
Absolutism is a futile attempt to freeze form by limiting fresh ideas. It is rigid thinking which crystallizes thought upon effect (what is already created). It always seeks certainty and fears ambiguity. But new discoveries repeatedly upset such attempts to freeze reality. An example would be Galileo's discovery that the earth was not the center of the universe contrary to the claims of the Roman Church in the Middle Ages. As a result of his claims, Galileo became subject to the Inquisition, a political contrivance to crystallize thought and not upset convictions of certainty.
Non-absolutists recognizing the ongoing evolution in consciousness and observing the folly of certainty, might shrug their shoulders and assent to those who wish to engage in self-delusion; but they also realize that these inclinations are usually accompanied by efforts to impose the limitations upon others.
Need
for authority and leadership:
This
thinking style inclines one to look to others for affirmation
and guidance. It impels the individual to assume the views
and the positions of the leader and the majority opinion within
the group. The individual is largely motivated to seek
acceptance by the group. He feels a sense of pride in being
good just as a child does who has been praised for obeying. Often
you will observe an idolization of the leaders, especially evident
among political partisans. For the followers, he is more
than a leader; he is someone who speaks for them, who reassures
them and brings them a sense of pride--all affirmations of self
that come from the outer.
"Alpha ambles off, touching, patting, hugging, occasionally kissing those he encounters. Many reach out their arms and beg for contact, however brief. Almost all--from highest rank to lowest-are visibly buoyed by this king's touch.
Anxiety is relieved...he must render services to the community, both practical and symbolic. He adopts an impressive demeanor even something approaching pomp, in part because his subordinates demand it of him. They crave reassurance. They are natural followers. They have an irresistible need to be led."
The above passage is from an article in Parade Magazine written by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan a few years ago. Actually, it is describing chimpanzee society. The leader of a chimp social unit is referred to as the "alpha male". When I came across the article, however, it reminded me of the need for authority and affirmation of some who look to others for guidance and assurance rather than from within themselves.
For those who look outward for leadership, authority is just another tangible form of structure. In contrast, inner oriented people seek relief from outside authority. Leaders to them are people with vision who promote unity by affirming diversity of thought. Authoritarianism defines narrow sets of principles which all must follow if they wish to be included. Authority seekers not only crave to be under it themselves but also are impelled to wield it against those who are independent minded (considered to be rebels). They hold that what's good enough for them is good enough for everyone else.
Need
for Affirmations of own beliefs:
The
individual finds relief with the like-minded. The more
he can surround himself with like-minded thinkers, the more safe
and comfortable he is likely to feel. He loves the preaching
to the choir environment where there is no dissenting opinion.
This is the appeal of most of talk radio. Seeing
others hold other views can be unsettling to those with a need
for certainty. It can cause the individual to question
his / her own neat and tidy package of beliefs. It may irritate
those protecting a specific personal view of reality because
some of the things that they are observing out there may seem
more fun or attractive or desirable at some level. And
if their own standards prevent them from creating their own lives
as they see others doing, it causes them to question their own
beliefs, including whether their beliefs are denying them freedom.
Since that is highly uncomfortable, certainists quickly
resort to attacking the fun seekers. It is better to just
not have these people and ideas within their realm of observation.
We are threatened by those who don't think as or look like
we do, on many other levels as well.
Need
For Control Over How Others Should Act or Feel :
The
individual is very adamant about others following rules, both
society's as well as those on his / her own list. There
is the conviction that certain ways of thinking and behaving
are right and other ways are wrong. He is angered by rule
breakers, driven to condemn and chastise them--especially those
Godless relativists. Always the parent, the individual
views this effort to enforce conformity upon others as part of
his civic duty. Such individuals believe they are God's
warriors armed with the mandate to bring morality to the world.
They seem to relish their idea that it's a harsh, cruel world
and that they can face that reality and accept the "facts".
Because the rules are the rules, they believe it doesn't pay
to give a "sucker" a break.
Blaming:
The
individual is always rationalizing ways in which it is other
people's fault that he is unhappy or frustrated or thwarted. Since
he doesn't understand how his own thoughts are creating the events
of his life, this may seem logical. But ironically, at
the same time, he is attacking others for not taking responsibility
for their lives. Almost laughably, the individual
sees these other irresponsible people as being responsible for
his own unhappy circumstances. He sees them as blaming him for
their unhappiness which angers him more.
Moving
From Awareness To Renewal
I think you get the idea. You now recognize some of the expressions of fear and separation that are out there "in the world of mass consciousness". You may not have been seeing it for what it is. You may even have been engaging in the thoughts and expressions of them unconsciously yourself. If you are awakening to your true nature, your inner self has been trying to show you a better way of being--the way of love. Now you are awakening to the fact that certainty is unimportant and so the devices utilized to buttress certainty are no longer needed. You can let go of them. It's quite important though to not blame yourself or feel guilty for having been lost in the muck. You simply had not yet awakened. That's all. You came here to express as God; but first you had to awaken to the fact that you are a perfect and unique individualization of All That Is. And now you are doing that. Congratulate and praise yourself.
No need to look back in regret for you have always been exactly where you needed to be in order to bring you to the point of awakening. Often that place included a lot of pain. But that pain was simply the universe trying to get your attention to wake up and recognize your attachments and your areas of resistance. Attachment and resistance are indications of what you fear. And what you fear is an illusion--not real. But you do create (bring into form) what you fear or resist. What you feared was effect, not cause; it had no reality in itself--until you gave it form. The laws of the universe are perfectly designed to teach you to trust in the absolute disposition of the universe to provide for you. The lesson is that you must trust it for it can do far better what you desire than you (your limited personality self) can. So now you are beginning to understand the laws of creative principle and how the universe works. You now realize that the universal laws of attraction and cause and effect are far superior to absolute morality in assuring order within the universe and the evolution of consciousness. You are aware that the stuff of mass conscious thought exists, but now you know that you no longer have to participate in it. It may be evident at work or school or in the neighborhood or within your family but you can be apart from it. You can create your own reality. You can raise your own vibration.
Focus on love. Focus on joy. Maintain an awareness of the truth about your own divine magnificence, power and limitlessness. When you feel overwhelmed by the energy of the world (as we all do from time to time), go within or find that book or source of enlightenment and upliftment to get you back on track.
End Part 4
Copyright
© March, 2001 William Gunderson,
All Rights Reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced for distribution
without the express permission and consent of the author. To
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