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 Paralyzes...................17
is, when you are in this cloud it paralyzes your thinking and your endeavors in this direction 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
it is the strength of your self-will that paralyzes you and makes you shy. And where pride 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
however, it has the exact opposite effect. It paralyzes all the genuine attributes that are necessary for 79 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the real issue and are therefore ineffectual. This paralyzes success, which, in turn, causes frustration. The frustration 79 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to discuss further, pity is destructive because it paralyzes you. In compassion, you are strong and capable 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
genuine. This displacement creates confusion and knots. It paralyzes your spontaneity, your capacity to feel, to live 98 WISHFUL DAYDREAMS
your own life and all that governs you, paralyzes you, and puts you in conflict even now 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
difficult to overcome because it is inactive. Sloth paralyzes the faculties, and thus lasts longer. But all 102 THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS
becomes very difficult, because your gnawing guilt either paralyzes you, or, if you manage to voice your 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
continue to fear the element in you that paralyzes the best in you -- until you summon 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
the cramped inner movement that debilitates you. It paralyzes your free-flowing energies and makes the transition to 143 UNITY AND DUALITY
not only creates envy, but also guilt; it paralyzes the relaxed powerful flow of reaching toward the 148 POSITIVITY AND NEGATIVITY: ONE ENERGY CURRENT
result of avoiding the feared area disastrous; it paralyzes your best faculties. If you avoid these feelings 166 PERCEIVING, REACTING, EXPRESSING
not meet that in you which freezes and paralyzes the living spirit, it is impossible to be 166 PERCEIVING, REACTING, EXPRESSING
I explained in the last lecture, fear freezes, paralyzes, stops movement. It is thus accurate to state 168 TWO BASIC WAYS OF LIFE: TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE CENTER
by this wrong combination. The negativity thus generated paralyzes everything in you that is essential for true 179 CHAIN REACTIONS IN THE DYNAMICS OF CREATIVE LIFE SUBSTANCE
and affects your actions and words that it paralyzes your courage to speak up and confront a 207 THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEXUALITY
 
 Paralyzing..................7
is better than a flight from suffering by paralyzing and deadening the capacity to feel and experience 82 THE CONQUEST OF DUALITY SYMBOLIZED IN THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JESUS
for example, in uncontrollable hostility, and in part paralyzing the best faculties of the feeling-body. Experience is 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
feel as though something were holding you back, paralyzing your efforts. Although there are often a number 157 INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF EXPERIENCE HINDERED BY EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY
truth, immediately a vicious circle comes into being paralyzing the pleasure forces, which are a good part 157 INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF EXPERIENCE HINDERED BY EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY
directions? This struggle is more painful, confusing, and paralyzing than anything else that goes on in the 176 OVERCOMING NEGATIVITY
in you out of fear and guilt, thereby paralyzing the best in you. To those of you 184 THE MEANING OF EVIL AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
and suspicion and fear and it manifests in paralyzing my creativity and ability to work and to 239 CHRISTMAS LECTURE 1975
 
 Parasite....................4
partner. When a woman wants to be a parasite and burden her partner with the brunt of 169 THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE PRINCIPLES IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS
resents the price of taking care of a parasite. Woman wants the advantage of being taken care 229 WOMAN AND MAN IN THE NEW AGE
or another to over-permissive systems that allow the parasite to sentimentalize his cause. And so it goes 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
that was previously associated exclusively with the dependent parasite. The new-age man combines his heart feelings, his 251 THE EVOLUTION AND SPIRITUAL MEANING OF MARRIAGE -- NEW AGE MARRIAGE
 
 Parasitic...................6
others. Since you condemn yourself to living a parasitic life, you cannot help using those on whom 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
you have to be fully aware of your parasitic clinging to others, of identifying with others and 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
yet know how without exploiting others and being parasitic. If, however, you can fully accept the beautiful 184 THE MEANING OF EVIL AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
fend for themselves and instead take on a parasitic role at the expense of others. But in 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
abuse this system. The socialistically-minded can become more parasitic and use the power structure as an excuse 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
their greed and power drive with the actual parasitic nature of the lazy ones. In other words 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
 
 Parcel......................6
attitudes are untruthful -- and therefore part and parcel of evil. Undefended, real pain opens doors, brings 196 COMMITMENT: CAUSE AND EFFECT
impossible to be receptive. Receptivity is part and parcel of positive intentionality. Negativity and receptivity are therefore 198 TRANSITION TO POSITIVE INTENTIONALITY
hold on. This universal conflict is part and parcel of the dualistic state of mind which prevails 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
is an absolute prerequisite and is part and parcel of the stages of faith. A person's faith 221 FAITH AND DOUBT IN TRUTH OR DISTORTION
new goal. Doubt is, of course, part and parcel of the state of separation. Meet the doubt 243 THE GREAT EXISTENTIAL FEAR AND LONGING
fulfillment without the breaks that are part and parcel of the dualistic state of mind? All these 253 CONTINUE YOUR STRUGGLE AND CEASE ALL STRUGGLE
 
 Parent......................120
these alternatives. When it discovers that an adored parent has faults and is not omnipotent, it either 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
not omnipotent, it either turns away from the parent and begins to hate and resent, feels let 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
guilty about having found something unworthy in the parent. These reactions continue to live in the soul 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
the child longs for the love of the parent, on the other, it resists and rebels against 47 THE WALL WITHIN
brothers or sisters or even with the other parent. The child is often unconsciously jealous of both 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
hand the child wants the love of each parent exclusively; on the other, it suffers if the 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
love each other. Since the love-capacity of any parent is imperfect, the child misunderstands that, despite the 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
The child feels excluded and rejected if the parent also loves others, however. In short, the exclusive 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
a hated and rejected authority's, be it a parent or someone else. In this case your motive 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
hostile authority in the person of a domineering parent is the predominant factor, the atmosphere in the 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
child's home is filled with fear of this parent. The other parent may be doting and permissive 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
filled with fear of this parent. The other parent may be doting and permissive. Although this influence 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
and why, what the attitude to the individual parent or parent-substitute was and is -- all has 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
You may have one indulgent and one stern parent. Or you may even have two indulgent parents 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
wish for a pampering, indulgent god, like a parent who spoils his child. If this god cannot 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
an adult person, how much more could a parent or a teacher harm you in your youth 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
not be so in reality, because the very parent who appears to reject it may have more 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
real love for the child than the other parent. But the way the child feels is what 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
greater extent than is possible, particularly by the parent who seems to reject it. When this exclusive 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
felt emotions, love and acceptance from this particular parent becomes the most desirable aim, all the more 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
love and acceptance -- is confused with the parent withholding it. In the confused, immature mind of 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
this conflict. Observe your relationship to the other parent, the one who seems to give freely what 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
superior one, always the winner, while the loving parent is subdued, apparently weaker and under the domination 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
weaker and under the domination of the rejecting parent, and perhaps even a little bit despised, the 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
the apparent or actual rejection of the loving parent. The child then gains the impression that the 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
child then gains the impression that the loving parent is weak, while the rejecter is strong. Therefore 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
is to be as strong as the desirable parent, and certainly not as weak as the undesirable 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
that the rejecter is strong, while the loving parent is weak. It may be the very opposite 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
it is not love that makes the giving parent weak, but other attributes. It may be a 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
to many other contributing factors, the domineering strong parent is the one who gives more love than 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
one who gives more love than the weaker parent who is under the dominion of the strong 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
under the dominion of the strong one. Each parent may then have desirable qualities, but they often 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
one another. You may unconsciously despise in one parent what you try to emulate in the other 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
not correspond to the inner situation. Outwardly one parent may be much more domineering than the other 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
appears, you acutely feel the dependent, wanting, needing parent as inferior, while the one who rejects these 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
with him or her, you reject the weak parent. You would rather be accepted by the desirable 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
be identified with the weak, needy and dependent parent. As far as your innermost self is concerned 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
is concerned, whether you actually betray the weak parent in words or deeds, or if you merely 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
capacity. At the same time, you betray the parent who has actually given you what you desired 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
what you desired to receive from the other parent. You now unconsciously consider his or her very 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
the noblest in you, but also the one parent who was the weaker one to begin with 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
this inner betrayal is important not because the parent you have rejected suffers from it, but mostly 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
the same subtle way as you betrayed the parent. Whenever you reject a person who is ready 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
she takes on the role of the weak parent. On the other hand, there may be another 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
person takes on the role of the rejecting parent. Examine your most subtle and elusive emotions. Go 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
you commit all over again against the one parent, as well as against your innermost self. The 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
the longing to be loved by the rejecting parent. Whenever this is the case, the conflict is 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
the awakening sex instinct turns to the other parent, the one who does not reject, or rejects 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
There may be isolated, exceptional cases where one parent offers a sufficient degree of mature love. Even 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
sufficient degree of mature love. Even if one parent has it to some measure, very likely the 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
suffer from the shortcomings of even a loving parent. More often, however, both parents are emotionally immature 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
infinitely harder to trace. If you had a parent who smothered you with affection or pseudo-affection, yet 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
in genuine warmth, or if you had a parent who conscientiously did everything right but was also 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
to choose in the partner aspects of the parent who has particularly fallen short in affection and 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
seek in your partner aspects of the other parent who has come closer to meeting your demands 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
difficult to find those aspects which represent the parent who has particularly disappointed and hurt you, the 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
partner with aspects similar to those of the parent. Yet it is these very aspects which will 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
no longer cry to be loved by the parent. Instead, you will look for a partner or 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
were while you constantly sought to find your parent or parents again, which of course could never 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
process still operates. The outside is the offending parent, or both parents, projected onto other human beings 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
same negative trends that one or the other parent had. Is it reality that this particular person 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
actually similar to some traits in the recreator's parent. The most outstanding would be a similar kind 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
still do not perceive the reality of your parent the human being. You may know perfectly well 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
the other person. Even if you glorify a parent, he or she still becomes inhuman from your 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
if you stop glamorizing an adored and idolized parent. You feel it is your duty as a 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
to continue to do so. Not glorifying your parent may be equated with disrespect, contempt, resentment, or 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
but also because you may need this very parent -- however symbolically and in a displaced way 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
even now. Maintaining your glorified image of a parent can also be a sign that he or 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
mind giving up the glorified image of the parent is tantamount to losing all the love, acceptance 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
security you have ever known. By devaluating the parent you rob yourself of the only value you 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
be your very protection against yourself. If the parent remains bad in your eyes, then the slight 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
the necessary information and knowledge about parents or parent figures to revise your image. They may be 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
Of course this is possible. An otherwise delinquent parent may have a special quality to give the 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
child develops a reaction, a neurosis against a parent or parents, regardless of how good or kind 103 HARM OF TOO MUCH LOVE GIVING -- CONSTRUCTIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE WILL FORCES
roles in their lives. One can be a parent and a child, an employee and employer. On 110 HOPE AND FAITH AND OTHER KEY CONCEPTS DISCUSSED IN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
In this case, children want to become the parent with whom they favorably identify and later try 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
favorably identify and later try to be that parent, rather than find and be themselves. It is 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
look for negative identities. In other words, a parent whom one hates and certainly does not want 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
one's very fear of ever being like this parent, coupled with suspicion that one might be, is 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
identification with perhaps a vague sense that this parent may be better off despite unlovable traits. In 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
a negative identification. The tie to the undesirable parent may be even more difficult to sever than 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
to sever than the tie to a cherished parent. It is very important to understand this, my 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
may consciously admire and wish to emulate one parent and despise the other. Yet, in the course 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
behavior patterns similar to those of the despised parent. This often came as a shock. But such 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
insights indicate that you identify with the very parent you least wish to be like. So beware 113 IDENTIFICATION WITH THE SELF
how you felt as a child toward each parent, then see how in your present responses you 115 PERCEPTION, DETERMINATION, LOVE AS ASPECTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
as mere theory, but from personal discovery. The parent one feels uncertain of, in awe or fear 116 REACHING THE SPIRITUAL CENTER-STRUGGLE BETWEEN LOWER SELF AND SUPERIMPOSED CONSCIENCE
particular rules of the superimposed conscience of the parent in question. It may often be the case 116 REACHING THE SPIRITUAL CENTER-STRUGGLE BETWEEN LOWER SELF AND SUPERIMPOSED CONSCIENCE
these standards were expected of you by this parent. In this investigation, the emotional atmosphere and climate 116 REACHING THE SPIRITUAL CENTER-STRUGGLE BETWEEN LOWER SELF AND SUPERIMPOSED CONSCIENCE
frustrations suffered. In other words, just as the parent may overindulge the child to substitute for feeling 117 SHAME: A LEGACY OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EVEN FAVORABLE ONES
because of influence exerted upon you by one parent and your emotional response to it. An entirely 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
influence by and emotional response to the other parent produces the other side of your conflict. You 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
how they correspond to your attitude toward each parent. When you present practical examples, I can show 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
that your parents represent your personal split, each parent representing one side of it. This is the 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
of their impact on you. Response to one parent may be reaction to, and correction of, an 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
correction of, an unwanted situation with the other parent -- a compensation. The two sets of attitudes 118 DUALITY THROUGH ILLUSION -- TRANSFERENCE
an extension of the self and of the parent of the same sex. But as growth continues 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Whether or not of the same sex, each parent stands in the foreground at certain periods of 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
a degree, due to a demonstrative and affectionate parent, this does not necessarily guarantee healthy further development 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
emphasis, and ramifications of the search change. One parent may have given more pleasure, the other more 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
no longer be a substitute for the original parent you still seek. Then you will not only 119 MOVEMENT, CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPERIENCE: PLEASURE, THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
transfer, the feelings one originally had for a parent onto another person. In the lecture dealing with 121 DISPLACEMENT, SUBSTITUTION, SUPERIMPOSITION
finding that you originally felt similarly toward a parent, but did not dare to acknowledge it. The 121 DISPLACEMENT, SUBSTITUTION, SUPERIMPOSITION
yourself to feel the original feeling toward the parent in connection with the new person, the negatively 121 DISPLACEMENT, SUBSTITUTION, SUPERIMPOSITION
sure that one is not transferring from a parent? ANSWER: One can be sure only by deeply 121 DISPLACEMENT, SUBSTITUTION, SUPERIMPOSITION
God to take the place of a benign parent, rejecting the need for self-responsibility. Concomitantly, as long 126 CONTACT WITH THE LIFE FORCE
who should act as a substitute for a parent. They want such a God because they are 126 CONTACT WITH THE LIFE FORCE
The more childishly you hang on to a parent substitute, making him or her responsible, wanting to 156 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
and no longer need parental permission or a parent substitute as your source of pleasure and life 157 INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF EXPERIENCE HINDERED BY EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY
to fulfill the childhood need with a substitute parent. In your heart of hearts you are really 192 REAL AND FALSE NEEDS
you had, and no matter how cruel a parent may have been, the real cause of pain 192 REAL AND FALSE NEEDS
or people -- let us say parents or parent substitutes or general authority figures. Or there might 199 THE MEANING OF THE EGO AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
never be fulfilled, namely outwardly, from parents or parent substitutes, you will look inwardly where you can 201 DEMAGNETIZING NEGATIVE FORCE FIELDS -- PAIN OF GUILT
willful superimposition of another person, such as a parent figure, over the real person. When your attraction 207 THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEXUALITY
own mode of fulfillment. It seeks a nurturing parent rather than the specific other person, and it 207 THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEXUALITY
figures to their children. Strong rejection of a parent, or of particular traits and attitudes in the 210 VISUALIZATION PROCESS FOR GROWING INTO THE UNITIVE STATE
or of particular traits and attitudes in the parent, is an indication that a deliberate negative identification 210 VISUALIZATION PROCESS FOR GROWING INTO THE UNITIVE STATE
The child will recognize what traits in the parent, and later in other authority figures, are to 210 VISUALIZATION PROCESS FOR GROWING INTO THE UNITIVE STATE
behavior of an unruly child who needs a parent to discipline it. Do you not always find 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
a sense of security. A weak and wrong parent is no protection against a frightening world. Submitting 247 THE MASS IMAGES OF JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY

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