arsalandywriter.com

Blocking Certain Thoughts Reveals Our Fragility: Understanding Mental Barriers

Written on

Chapter 1: The Impact of Suppressing Thoughts

Blocking certain thoughts often reflects a deeper fragility within us, highlighting how our mental barriers can obscure our actions.

Mental resilience through meditation

Years ago, I found salvation in meditation after pushing my mind and body to their extremes. A significant flaw of mine is my inability to recognize my limits until they become painfully apparent. This oversight has led to many challenges, but I like to think it has also driven me to strive for growth, akin to Nick Cave's idea of "pushing the sky away." However, this reckless pursuit of self-improvement is neither effective nor sustainable. Ultimately, I had no alternative; after collapsing from prolonged exertion, it was meditation that helped me recover.

Meditation provides a space to observe our thoughts without becoming entangled in them, allowing them to surface and fade away. It is not about suppressing thoughts, but rather about releasing the grip of thought itself. Some practitioners may find themselves unexpectedly emotional when previously buried thoughts emerge, thoughts they can finally confront. This process can lead to a sense of liberation, as it allows them to stop hiding from their own minds.

Section 1.1: The Burden of Societal Expectations

Our society places immense pressure on our thought processes. It often feels as though we are compelled to nurture an inner critic that monitors our thinking, ensuring it remains within acceptable bounds. I have been astounded by how frequently individuals cringe at expressing discomforting thoughts, apologizing for their honesty. And these are merely the thoughts that slip through the cracks! What about everything else that remains unspoken? More distressingly, how much is left unthought?

Subsection 1.1.1: The Cost of Avoidance

In the video "Nassim Taleb: Escape Your Fragility (Or Suffer)", Taleb discusses the importance of confronting our vulnerabilities head-on rather than avoiding them. He emphasizes that facing discomfort is essential for personal growth and resilience.

Section 1.2: The Importance of Open Dialogue

The tragedy lies in the way we diminish the value of thoughtful engagement, shying away from diverse perspectives. Engaging with different ideologies does not equate to endorsing them. The chasm between thought and action requires significant effort to bridge. We do not automatically align with a group by merely listening to their views. Contemplating difficult subjects, such as suicide or political ideologies, does not indicate an intention to act on these thoughts.

Chapter 2: The Dangers of Thought Suppression

Yet, we often draw lines around conversations we deem uncomfortable. By ignoring their existence, we give these thoughts undue power, allowing them to linger and haunt us. This avoidance creates an illusion of safety, but in reality, it makes us more susceptible to those very ideas, granting them a strength they should not possess.

In "Going into Emotion When Clients Feel Fragile: EFT Couples Therapy", the video explores how addressing emotional vulnerabilities in therapy can lead to healing. It highlights the importance of allowing space for uncomfortable emotions to be expressed and processed.

Avoiding discussions about troubling issues only increases the likelihood of inadvertently perpetuating harm, potentially leading to actions we never intended. Today, I reflect on this pessimistic optimism with a rating of 55%.

Written while listening to: ‘Virtual Dreams: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, 1993–1997’.

Thank you for taking the time to read! Your support is immensely appreciated as I embark on this journey on Medium. Claps and follows are always welcome.

Who am I, you might wonder? I am a musician who writes and a writer who makes music. You can explore my creative world here.

Share the page:

Twitter Facebook Reddit LinkIn

-----------------------

Recent Post:

Building Mental Resilience: Day 6 of 21 and the Power of Sports Apps

Exploring meditation, cognitive distortions, and how sports tracking can enhance mental well-being.

Finding Inspiration: 5 Unique Writing Locations to Explore

Discover five unexpected places that can spark your creativity and enhance your writing.

The Future of AI Art: Navigating the New Creative Landscape

Exploring the rise of AI-generated art and the skills required, while addressing common criticisms and future implications for artists.

Understanding the True Nature of Alcohol Addiction

Discover the underlying issues behind alcohol addiction and how to overcome them.

Mastering JavaScript One-Liners: Your Path to Coding Greatness

Discover powerful JavaScript one-liners that will enhance your coding skills and impress your peers.

The Wealthy Emphasize Asset Creation Over Liability Management

Discover how the wealthy prioritize building assets and managing liabilities to enhance their financial health.

Surprising Success in Astro-Agriculture: Clover Thrives in Martian Soil

Research shows that clover can grow in Martian soil with the aid of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, paving the way for future agriculture on Mars.

Discover Aiden's Latest Finds: Episode #164 Unveiled

Explore Aiden's favorite stories and community highlights in Episode #164, showcasing the latest updates from ILLUMINATION Publications.