Posted by cricket on July 27, 2005, at 8:17:36
In reply to Re: Poor ego strength, posted by alexandra_k on July 26, 2005, at 19:49:03
> I think the alters are different complexes of perceptions thoughts feelings etc.
>
> You can see yourself as an alter - same as them.
>
> With your own complex of perceptions thoughts feelings etc.
>
> Or not... I don't think it matters so very much.
>
> The trouble is the conflict between the different complexes. The different complexes have access to different information and different points of view, emotional responses, thoughts etc.
>
> One complex typically does not have much access to what is going on with another.
>
> I think...
> The way to resolve the conflict is to try (gradually.... gradually) to bring the complexes more 'out into the open'. I mean that in the sense of becoming more aware of the perceptions thoughts feelings that are associated with each complex.
>
> You may well have thoughts perceptions feelings of your own.
>
> Or... you may not.
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> Either way, I don't think that matters so very much.
>
> Either way I think it is about becoming more aware of ALL of those responses in there. Acknowledging that they ARE there. They ARE there. And then pausing for a bit... Just so that sinks in and that is ok.
>
> I think the pausing is important.
>
> But then... Sometimes one may feel a certain way because of what they believe about something. Sometimes there is other relevant information and so once you put together the other relevant information then that feeling just ceases. I think thats what the 'integration' idea is about. Putting all the pieces together. In the sense of all the beliefs etc coming out in the open or together in a list. A list of what is going on inside you.
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> And then... Coming to some kind of gestalt that takes all of that into account.
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> And that... IMO... Is the 'real' you. Because it is when all of what is there is working in harmony to come to the best decision given ALL of the available information.
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> And its an ongoing process...
>
> Don't know if that helps or not.
> The first Dennett link might help.
> He talks about what a self is.
> Then he talks about what multiple selves might be.
> It is a much easier read than my paper.
> He is good at using simple and vivid analogies.
> In this case... The analogy of congress and the 'head of state / mind'.Alex,
Thank you for your thoughts on this. It helps so much. It really does. You understand it far better than my therapist does.
Although I think that he is very well read on the subject (actually he seems to be well read on just about everything - definitely one of his strengths), sometimes I wonder if he has all that much working experience with this. Yesterday he said "Are you just going to be a people pleaser?" in response to my trying to listen to all my parts opinions about therapy.
I said, "Well I hardly think that I am a people pleaser with outside people. But this is different. These are on the inside. I can't get away from them."
I felt like adding "Duh!" but I refrained.
I don't know. Maybe he just feels shut out sometimes. Or maybe, he actually is afraid that I am going to quit therapy. That baffles me though.
Thanks again Alex. I want to read over your stuff some more as well as get to the Dennett.
Also, be sure and let me know how it goes with you.
poster:cricket
thread:533839
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050725/msgs/534146.html