Page 94 - WLMIG_6132004.indd

Projection
Many of us find it hard to accept the problems in our lives, so we seek ways to hide from them by drinking, abusing drugs, and using other forms of avoidance. One unhealthy way of deceiving ourselves is to use the particularly pervasive defense of projection. An example is when we project wishful thinking onto the outer world and take these projections as special signs from God. This distortion interferes with our taking responsibility for rational analysis and sensible decision- making. A desire to see special guiding signs or messages can lead to a dangerous disregard for our conscience.
The Danger of Following Signs: Case Study
While at the ashram, I was asked to see a middle-aged man who had suddenly become immobilized by panic aacks. Seeking spiritual support and sustenance, he had le family and country to be with Swami in India. He felt that he could now rely entirely on Swami’s grace and that Swami would protect him, no maer what. Rationalizing thus, he discontinued a thyroid medication he had been taking for years. He made the mistake of thinking that relinquishing his responsibility for using good judgment was surrendering to God.
The man still had enough common sense to go to the ashram clinic and ask a doctor if he should stop his medication. He arrived at the clinic a few minutes late, and the door was locked. He then concluded that this timing was a sign from Swami that he needn’t take his medication. Thus he projected inappropriate meaning (his own wishful thinking) onto external events, calling them “special signs” from Swami. This thought brought him a feeling of security, but at the expense of responsible action. Such manipulation of spiritual concepts to justify avoiding responsibility for our actions is a dangerous trick the mind can play, and yet people frequently fall into this trap.
94