Inner Dissociation – Ego – Total Self
Inner dissociation is a wrongly perceived divide between – more or less – conceptual and subconceptual mental processing. Metaphorically, the dissociation lies between the ego and the total self.
Reality is always more complex.
Functionally
In-depth, of course, the ego is part of the total self.
Moreover, any conscious ego-element is engendered in deeper subconceptual layers (of total self) ― whether it starts here or in the outer world or as a mutual reaction of one to the other.
So, any divide between the ego and the total self can only be functional. In other words, the ‘divide’ points to the dynamic interpretation of a happening, not a static entity. The dissociation is not between two separate things ― yet the result is as if this would be the case.
The basic cognitive illusion – not seeing the functional divide – is an illusion nevertheless, in which mere-ego acts as if there is nothing else but mere-ego within a total person.
Bad consequences
Bad consequences from tensions between the – functionally – dissociated entities are so ubiquitous that I dare say inner dissociation is never OK. It leads to much anticipatory anxiety (distress) and ruminating depression (regret), not to mention aggression between individuals and between groups/societies.
Yet potentially, there is also good involved, depending on how people try to cope with their dissociation.
Humanity’s best
Eventually, the most profoundly beautiful aspects of the human being lie in the ways people may try to cope with their inner dissociation ― this is: toward giving the ego a place in total self where it can be a part of the opening up:
- Accepting one’s flaws ― nevertheless, trying to be a good person.
- Not running away from one’s essential loneliness ― nevertheless, searching for a door to someone else’s loneliness, a lifetime.
- Living as a deeply flawed person ― nevertheless, being confident everything will turn out all right.
- The knowing that obstacles are high ― nevertheless, believing in life’s journey and one’s ability to keep going.
This is mental growth. It can take serious effort ― not easy but meaningful and attractive, especially in a complex reality.
Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Related Posts
Divisiveness Dressed up as Insight
Sometimes a sentence sounds so sharp, so confident, so precise, that we take it as truth. It’s shared widely, repeated as wisdom, and praised for “saying it like it is.” But what if that sentence – so eloquent, so cutting – only deepens the divide between people? What if its clarity is not real insight, Read the full article…
Compassion and Constructionism
Constructionism shows the importance of not getting stuck in a constructed reality. Compassion ethically realizes this for the good of many. I write Compassion with a Capital because of its relation to the subconceptual. Depth involved Compassion encompasses a profound way of looking at people (and all sentient beings). ‘Deep’ in this means that the Read the full article…
Inner Friend or Foe?
One can treat one’s inner being as a friend or enemy. It’s good to make this an explicit choice. It’s too important to let it be a choice imposed upon you. People are not conscious of their non-conscious mental processing Yet, the science in this is unequivocal. The inner, non-conscious mental life of a person Read the full article…