Tag: individualism

Projection

“The richer–that is, the more varied and complete–the individual’s emotional life, the less is he driven to projection, and the more will he incline to identification. His outlet and satisfaction comes in identifying himself with the emotions of the other. On the other hand, the narrower and more restricted the individual’s emotional life, the more intense will be his fewer emotions, the less will he be inclined to, and capable of, identification–the lack of which he has to compensate for by projection. Projection thus proves to be a compensatory mechanism that adjusts for an inner lack. Identification, on the other hand, is an expression of abundance, of the desire for union, for alliance, for sharing. “

– Otto Rank, “Love, Guilt and the Denial of Feelings,” 1927, American Lectures, 160

This quote embodies my philosophy, my intentions, my behavior and aims when I interact with others. Love. Union. Emotional variegation.

Identify with others. Rather than forcefully projecting yourself onto the world and others, learn to subjugate the ego and merge with another. This is why I stress the importance of philosophy in teaching the value of understanding and comprehension, all of which facilitates a sympathy to ideas and people.

Normalacy Fallacy

What is normal? What is this ‘society’ everyone talks about? Where is it? It’s almost conceived as a thing with a steady opinion- a box that we inevitably fall into and cannot escape. Where are these mass opinions that shut you down before you literally run out of breath and life? I feel that we do this to ourselves- our dreams and passions and tendencies- before we ever confront these demonic fiends that demand a social norm. There is a fallacy I beg to break away from. The fallacy that we need to develop ‘regularly’. Tell me what that means. Tell me what experiences I need to partake in so that we can universally share similar opinion or conclusions. So that we can agree on mass measures. So that we can deny our individual experiences that make these opinions- that ebb and flow with every passing day- so multifaceted and personal. I’m not even sure I want to know what these standard experiences and conclusions are. I will feel devoid of natural rhythm and balance. The feeling of servitude to anything but my passions is a neglectful abuse to the soul. And who are these people? Those who encapsulate the general opinion? I want to spit in their face for stifling these creative intuitions that I long to grab onto.

I was not made for a box. I was not made to fit into a category. I am not a predictable creature. I have a soul and I have a will as powerful as any force that would come against me. It is mine and I consciously choose my destiny with every passing thought. Each thought is mine and I have a choice to think whatever I wish- it is this I call my will. I have a will so powerful I can choose the fate of millions- for better or for worse- if I chose to. I am an individual with passion and love and a will- To do whatever the hell I want to do. NOT to follow the opinions of others. NOT to deny myself the opportunity of thought. NOT to back down when confronted with challenges and oppositions. To rise up and question thought. I want to dig down deeper and reach farther than everyone has before or after me. You tell me I’m incapable. You tell me I’m no good enough. Tell me I won’t make a difference. Tell me I’m not naturally apt or that I haven’t got it in me. I am a human as much as the rest of you. I want to feel human and OBEY my passions. This is the life force that keeps me FEELING alive.  Otherwise I may as well build myself a coffin and crawl into the inevitable truth that I am already dead.