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Psychiatrists are familiar with the power of the mind to defend against painful experiences. We distract, hide, repress, avoid, and deny, even if our sense of well being is based on falsities. We learn to hide from inner feelings, thus losing precious aliveness. In psychiatry, we see the great power of the mind to deny and repress memories, thoughts, feelings, and experiences if they make us frightened, anxious, or depressed. We develop defenses that protect us from re-experiencing abandonment or abuse. We bury memories of experiences with dysfunctional families or past terrible deeds or mistakes. So too, we hide if any of our aachments to false self-images are threatened (name, fame, form, and fortune). We take extreme measures to protect ourselves even if it means blocking out large segments of psychological and spiritual awareness. Leading an inwardly honest life means being ever aware of how elemental the mind’s power is to deceive and distort, and being ever ready to confront this weakness.
The Defensive, Divided Mind
The following case history shows us how the mind wants to hide from past mistakes and sins, thus creating a separation and conflict within our own self. We do not want to face vulnerability and pain, so we wall them off from conscious awareness. Yet, our conscience presses for honesty and prompts us to be truthful even when it hurts. We must come clean and have inner consistency and integrity. Swami says that having inner unity in thought, word, and deed is the sign of a spiritually evolved person. We do not find lasting peace until we aain this inner harmony.
Layers of Suffering: Case Study
James had been a competent administrator at a large convalescent home. He had confidence in himself and did wonderful healing work with clients who were frightened and in pain. Then one day, he fell and hurt his back. He was
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