Humanistic Psychology
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Transcript of Humanistic Psychology
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HumanisticPsychology andSelfhelp
HumanisticPsychology(CarlRogers,AbrahamMaslowandRolloMay)isafundamental
inspirationforthemanagementtheoriesandthereforeforthewholeoftheselfhelpindustry(see
myarticleManagementtheoryandtheselfhelpindustry).
Thehumanisticpsychologyisbasedonabiologicalviewofhumannatureorsaidinanother
way:itbelievesthathumansentirelyaredesirousbeings(seemybookAPortraitofaLifeartist).
CarlRogersisthereforeinhisselfactualizationtheoryfocusingontheemotionalexperienceofthe
individual.AbrahamMaslowisinhisselfactualizationtheoryfocusingondifferentlevelsof
needsintheindividual.RolloMayisinhisexistentialpsychologyfocusingonthewillandwishes
intheindividual.
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Ifyoufocusontheseaspectsofthehumannatureyouwillfindyourtrueauthenticself,they
claim.LikethewisdomtraditionsHumanisticPsychologynamelyhaveanideaabout,thatManhas
asovereign(orevenspiritual/divine)core.So,itisfromherewehavetheconceptsofthe
selfactualizingandpersonaldevelopinghumanbeing,and,asaresult:theauthentic,sovereign,
autonomous,competent,resourcefilledhumanbeingconcepts,thatarecentralinthewholeofthe
selfhelpindustry.Butwhichalsoareshowingsomethingofaparadox,orcontradiction,because
thistherapeuticselfactualizationhastobesupportedbyanarmyofcoachesandpsychotherapists.
Themoreresourcesthehumanbeingisconceivedtohave,themorepotentialsithas,orisclaimed
tohave,themoresupportitneedsmoretherapists,morecoaches,morecoursesetc.inorderto
develophimself(readmoreaboutthisparadoxinmyarticleSelfhelpandtheMythologyof
Authenticity).Thisparadoxshows,thatsomethingisgoingwronginthisworldview,andinthe
followingIwillshowwhy.
Whatiscommoninhumanisticpsychologyisthattheindividualactualizeshisfullresources
orpotentialsthatis:thathefindshisauthenticself.Thisthesishasbeendevelopedinmany
variousforms,forexampleitisalsothisthesisthatislyingbehindtheconceptofpositive
psychology.PositivepsychologyhasitsrootsintheNewThoughtmovement,andisclaimingthat
ifyoufocusonyourpositivethoughts,feelings,needs,wishesandwill,andareignoringthe
negativeoppositions,thenyoucanattractanythingyouwant(thepositiveisinNewThought
understoodasmaterialglory,money,success,personalpower,sex,health,beauty)seemy
articleTheNewThoughtmovementandthelawofattraction.
Itis,accordingtotheHumanisticPsychology,thereforeonlytheindividualsownsubjective
evaluation,whichcanprovidesomethingwithvalue.Thereneitherexistvalidvalues,whichcome
fromthecommunity,orobjectivevalues,whichcomefromnature,theuniverse,orlifeitself.
Nothinghasvalueinitself,unlessitcomesfromtheindividualssubjectiveexperiences,needs,
willandwishes.
TheHumanisticPsychologysviewofmoralsisnamelynotonlyasubjectifying,which
attributesthesourceofmoralstothesubjectiveitself,butalsoanemotionalizing,sinceitisthe
individualsfeelings,whichdecidesthemoralqualityofsomething.Whatitisabout,istodowhat
feelsright.Itistheindividualsemotionalexperienceofsomething,whichdefinesvalues,not
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conversely.AndthisisfullyinthreadwiththeideologyofConsumerCapitalism,wherethe
customer(andhisorhersexperiences,wishes,willandneeds)alwaysisright.Theconsumer
society,thetherapeuticselfactualizationandthesubjectifyingofthemoral,gohandinhand.The
moraltheindividualsrelationtohimselfistherapized,andthemoralissubjectified.
Butwhatisthisself?Isitthesameasinthewisdomtraditions?No,anditisheretheproblems
arises.
Oursuffering,ourpainbodyisaccordingtothewisdomtraditions,throughtheinnerevaluating
ego,whichthepainbodyisconstructedaround,connectedwiththemoredangerousdephtsofthe
collectivehistoryoftheastralplane,whichalsoareakindofdark,ancientinertia,whichopposes
anychangeoftheego(seemyarticleTheemotionalpainbodyandwhypsychotherapycant
healit).
Thatisalsothereasonwhyyou,throughpsychotherapy,canthealManfromtheground.In
ordertohealManfromthegroundyouneedtogointoaspiritualpractice.Itisonlywithinthe
religionsandtheirspiritualtraditionstheyhaveknowledgeandnamesforthemoredarksidesof
theastralplanescollectivehistory.TheWesthasverypreciselycalledthisfactortheoriginalsin.
TheEasthascalleditnegativekarma.Theconceptsindicate,thattheinertiaprojectsbeyondthe
personalhistory(growingupconditions,traumaticbindings,painfulexperiencesetc.)andfardown
intothecollectiveinheritbackgroundsofhistory(genes,environment,societyideals,the
archetypesandtheprimordialimagesofthedreams,fantasies,fairytales,myths,andfinally:
instinctsinheritedfromtheanimals).Itisafactor,whichislyingintheevolutionitself,inthe
genes,inthecollectivesubconcious,inthecollecticeimagesoftime.
Whenthereforepsychotherapyrequiresachange,thentheinstinctivesurvivalpreparednessin
usreactsandprotests.Manhassurvivedonwillfulnessandaconsciousnessstructure,which
mentalandpsychicsignisEgocentredness.ThebiggerEgo,thebiggersurvivalchance.The
HumanisticPsychologysviewoftheauthenticselfisthereforeconfusingthisselfwiththeego.
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Seenfromaspiritualperspective,thisinstinctivesurvivalstrategi(theEgo)appearsasa
resistance,aninvincibleinertia:originalsin,negativekarma.Youcant,bypsychotherapeutic
strategies,freetheconsciousnessfromitsattachmenttothisinertia.Youcanthereforenotdissolve
ordiluteorconverttheoriginalsinthroughpsychotherapy.OnlytheinterventionoftheSource
(God,Christ,theenlightenedconsciousness)canbasicallyhelpManwithatrancendenceofthe
negativekarmaoftheoriginalsin.Butinorderto,thatahumanbeingshouldbeabletoreceivethis
helpfromtheSource(giftofgrace),thenthisrequiresaneminentlypreciseandprofound
preparation.Andaspartofthispreparationservethetruespiritualpracticewithinthereligions(see
myarticlesParanormalphenomenaseeninconnectionwithspiritualpracticeandThevalue
ofhavingareligioninaspiritualpractice).
So,whenyouinthiswaydoyourpartofthework,thenyouwilldiscoverthattheenlightened
consciousness(God,Christ,Buddha),alreadyhavecleansedthenegativekarmaandtakenon,and
forgiven,theoriginalsin.AllenlightenedteachersofthisEarth(Rumi,Krishna,FrancisofAssisi,
Rabia,Meera,YesheTsogyel,TeresaofAvila)aredoingthesame:theytakeontheoriginalsin
andarepurifyingitforus.
Butreligionhasinhumanisticpsychology,andintheselfhelpindustryassuch,beenreduced
topsychology(feelings,willandwishes,CarlRogersandRolloMay),spiritualityhasbeen
reducedtobiology(needsAbrahamMaslow),andphilosophyhasbeenreducedtoideology
(consumercapitalism).So,traditionalreligiousandphilosophicalpracticeshaveinHuman
Psychology,andintheselfhelpindustryassuch,beenreducedtopsychologyandpsychotherapy.
Spiritualityhasinthiswaybeenturnedupsidedown.InmybookAPortraitofaLifeartistin
thesectionaboutneedsIdescribehowtheideologyofneedsdistortshumannature.
InmyarticleNonviolentCommunication(NVC)isaninstrumentofpsychicterrorI
describethereductionisminanotherway(NVCisdirectlyinspiredbyhumanisticpsychology).In
itswayofclaiming,thatallhumanbehaviourstemsfromattemptstomeetasmallsetofhuman
needs,NVCisnamelyareductionism.ThefounderofNVC,MarshallRosenberg,isforexample
proclaimingthat,allneedsareuniversaleveryhumanbeingintheworldhasthesameneeds.
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Reductionismsreduceordevaluatethemanyaspectsofahumanbeing(forexamplehistory,
time,rationality,spirituality,communication,truth,meaning,beauty,suffering,passion,love,etc.,
etc.,orsaidinoneword:thewholeness)toaphenomenonofasingletype.InNVCaswellasin
MaslowsversionofHumanisticpsychologythisphenomenonisneeds.
NeedsareinNVCseeninrelationtotwotypesoffeelings:feelingswhenyourneedsare
satisfied,andfeelingswhenyourneedsarenotsatisfied(onNVCwebsitesyoucanfindlistsof
fundamentalneedsandthetwotypesoffeelings).SoNVCisabouthowyoucangetyourneeds
satisfied.Butwhenyoureduce,forexampleuniversalvaluessuchasthegood,thetrueandthe
beautiful,toneeds("Universalneeds"),thenthewholethingisbeingturnedupsidedown,because
thenyourbeingisseenassomethingnotyetsatisfied,astateofbecoming,andthereforedesire.
Andwithbecominganddesireyouhavetheego:thedirectoppositeofthegood,thetrueandthe
beautiful(rememberthatinforexampleBuddhismtheyseedesireasoneofthemainpoisonsof
themind).InmyarticleThefourphilosophicalhindrancesandopeningsIhaveinvestigated
thisturningspiritualityupsidedownparadoxwhichthewholeofNewAgeandtheselfhelp
industryarecharacterizedby.AlsoseemyarticleThepseudoscienceofreductionismandthe
problemofmindforadeeperexplanationoftheepistemologicalandethicalshipwrecksall
reductionismsendupin.
Wherespiritualitytraditionalisabouttheeliminationoftheego,thentheegohasbecomean
objectofworshipwithintheselfhelpindustry.Spiritualityhasbeendistorted.
InhisbookTheGoodLifetheDanishLifephilosopherMogensPahuuswrites,thatifyouask
about,whattheoldScandinavianssawasthehighestandthegreatestinlife,theecstasyoflife,
thentheanswerwouldbe,thatitisselfassertiontheassertionofoneselfandthefamily.Healso
writes,thatyouinChristianityfindadiametricallyoppositeviewofselfassertion,bothinits
CatholicformasinProtestantism.InSaintGregoryandThomasofAquinas
haughtiness/pride/selfassertionwasthefirstandgreatestofthesevensocalleddeadlysins.Andin
Lutherselfassertionnorwasagoodness,buttheviceoverallvices.Itisthesevendeadlysins
DanteinThePurgatorymustlookintheeyesoneafterone,inordertobeabletoprogress.He
mustusethediscrimination,whichisthepurificationprocess,whereyoulookyourdestinyinthe
eyesanddopenanceafterhavingrealizedhowyourperspectivedistortsreality.
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Soselfassertionisavice.Selfassertionisakindofselfinterest,whereeverythingturns
aroundtheEgo,andthereforemakesthemindmediocre.Toliveinaworld,whichiscontrolledby
selfassertion,withoutbeingselfassertive,means,truly,tolovesomethingforitsownsake,
withoutseekingareward,aresultbutthisisverydifficult,becausethewholeworld,allyour
friends,yourrelatives,struggletoachievesomething,toaccomplishsomething,tobecome
something.
Todayselfassertiononceagainisconsideredasavirtue.Thegurusarethemanyadvocates
forthemarketandtheeconomicalcompetition,asforinstanceseveralmanagementtheorists.And
theeducationinstrumentistheselfhelpindustry.Thedisciplesaretheconsumersthatwillsay,
thatthisoutlookoflifeobviouslyissharedbymostpeopleinoursociety:thatitisaboutbecoming
something,togetsuccess,toconqueraplaceonthetopofthemountain,tobecomeawinner.
MogensPahuusbelievesthatthemodernidealaboutbecomingasuccess,awinner,isaperverted
ideal.Thesocietypraisesaselfassertion,whichhasgoneoverthetop,andtheredominatesa
selfassertion,whichisavice,becauseitbothspoilsthelifeoftheselfassertive,andthelifesof
those,whomtheselfassertivemeasureshimselfinrelationto,andwhomhewantstooverpass.
Pahuusmentionssomeoftheformsofselfassertion:1)Vanity,whichisavice,becausethe
vainfullalwaysisbearinginmind,howheorshelookslike,orisconsideredlike,intheeyesof
others.2)Ambition,whichisavice,becauseyouhereconstantlyareonthewayforward,or
upwards.3)Haughtiness,whichisavice,becauseyouhere,inyourfeelingofownsuperiorvalue,
lookdownatothers,arelettingothersfeeltheirinferioritythatis:becausehaughtinessis
unethical.Butalsointhearroganthimself,haughtinessisdestructive:itisolates.4)Joyofpower.
Theethicalseenmostviolatingformofselfassertionisthejoyofhavingpoweroverothers,of
controllingothers,oroppressingthem.
PahuusquotesAlfredAdlerandsaysthattheabovementionedformsofselfassertionare
attackcharacterized.Buttherealsoexistsanonattackcharacterizedform,asforinstancethe
hostileisolation,anxietyandbashfulness,whichyouseeintheUndergroundManinDostojevskijs
smallnovelNotesfromanUnderground.
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Theviceinthedifferentformsofselfassertionisthatitleadstoanunreallife.
Truespiritualityisintheendaboutgoingbeyondallconceptsandideas,becauselanguageand
linguisticmappingsisthemainreasonforourdistortionsofreality,andthereforeoursuffering.It
isinitsnatureabsolutist.Inordertogobeyondallconceptsandideasitmustbepossibleto
discriminatebetweenthelanguageandthereal,themapandthelandscape,subjectandobject.It
thereforebuildsonanobjectivetruthcriterium,whichislyinginareality,wholeness,orotherness,
thattranscendsus.AsNielsBohrsays,thenitisreality(thewholeness/theorderofnature),that
putsusinorder,andnotusthatputsrealityinorder(seemyarticleQuantummechanicsandthe
philosophyofNielsBohr).Discriminationisacentralaspectofcriticalthinking(mybookA
dictionaryofthoughtdistortionsisamanualincriticalthinking,andthereforephilosophy).
Theselfhelpindustryis,contrarytothis,defendingarelativismandasubjectivism,which
doesntallowthis.Andthisisabitofaparadox,becausealotoftheselfhelpgurusareclaiming,
thattheirteachingsarespiritual,yeseventhattheyarespiritualteachers.
Accordingtotheselfhelpindustrythenthelanguageisthereal,themapisthelandscape,the
wordisthereal.Suchalackofdiscriminationbetweenlanguageandreality,andthereforebetween
subjectandobject,isacentralaspectofmagicalthinking.
Itis,accordingtorelativismandsubjectivism,notpossibletogobeyondallconceptsand
ideas.Butyoucanchangethese.Thatisacentralideaintheselfhelpdirectioncalled
NeurolinguisticProgramming(NLP)seemyarticleNeurolinguisticProgramming(NLP)and
LargeGroupAwarenessTraining(LGAT).ThoughNLPissayingthatthemapisnotthe
landscape,thenitparadoxicallyalsoissupportingasubjectivism,thatsaysthatwecantgobeyond
ourmappings,wecantknowwhatthelandscapeisinitself.ThisofcourseintroducesaSocratic
question:Ifitistrue,thatwecantgobeyondourmappingsandgetknowledgeaboutwhatthe
landscapeisinitself,fromwheredoesNLPthenknowthatthemapisnotthelandscape?
Anyway,whatitisaboutwithinNLP,andtheselfindustryassuch,istochangeyour
language,mapsandwordssothattheyfitintoyourwishes,needsanddesires,andinthatwayyou
canbecomewhateveryoulike,andyoucancreatewhateverrealityyouwantthatis:accordingto
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yourego.Asthemanagementtheoristssay:Itisnotfacts,butthebeststory,thatwins!Andthey
oftendoitinamixofinterpretationsofShamanismandWesterntheoriesofhypnosis(seemy
articlesACritiqueofStanislavGrofandHolotropicBreathwork,Regression
psychotherapies,JamesArthurRayandthesweatlodgetragedyandHypnosis,hypnotherapy
andtheartofselfdeception).Butintruespiritualitythisisthesameasenlargeningyour
distortionofreality.
Itwillbeinterestingtofollowhownewtheorieswithintheselfhelpindustry,andinNew
Age,inthefuture,inlargescale,willbebasedontheabilitytotellagoodnewstory.Communal
reinforcementisathoughtdistortion,whichdirectlywillbeusedasameansforthis.Communal
reinforcementissocialphenomenoninwhichaconceptorideaisrepeatedlyassertedina
community,regardlessofwhethersufficientevidencehasbeenpresentedtosupportit.Overtime,
theconceptorideaisreinforcedtobecomeastrongbeliefinmanypeoplesminds,andmaybe
regardedbythemembersofthecommunityasfact.
Often,theconceptorideamaybefurtherreinforcedbypublicationsinthemassmedia,books,
orothermeansofcommunication.Thereisnodoubtaboutthattheselfhelpindustry(whichisa
strongadvocatefortheuseofhypnosisandhypnotherapy)willbemadepropagandaforthrough
massmediaphenomenasuchasTransmediaStorytelling,AlternateRealityGames(TheBlair
WitchProjectisanexampleofanAlternateRealityGame),ViralMarketing/InternetHoaxesand
CollaborativeFiction.
Thephrasemillionsofpeoplecantallbewrongisindicativeofthecommontendencyto
acceptacommunallyreinforcedideawithoutquestion,whichoftenaidinthewidespread
acceptanceofurbanlegends,myths,andrumors.
Thiswilloftenbemixedwithanabilitytousemoderntechnologywithincomputerscience
andproductionofmovies.Makeagreatwebsite,andtellastorylikeinaHollywoodmovie,and
youhavesuccess.ThelatestwithinNewAgeisforexamplethesocalledWingMakersProject.
ThedifferencebetweenaHollywoodmoviethough,andaNewAgeguru,isthattheNewAge
guruisclaimingthathisstoryistrue,thoughverywellknowing,thatthewholeisafiction.
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Itisinteresting,thatthecreatoroftheWingMakersProject,MarkHempel,alreadynowis
defendinghisstoryasbeingtrue,againstcritics,whosaythatthestoryisahoax.Hempelprecisely
haveabackgroundworkinginthecomputerandITindustry(seemyarticleTimetravelandthe
fascismoftheWingMakersProject).
OrtaketheHumanDesignSystem,whichiscreatedbyAlanRobertKrakower,whoclaimsto
havereceiveditinavision,whereafterhecallshimselfRaUruHu.Hewasawelleducatedand
successfulbusinessman,whoworkedasacontractorandmagazinepublisherwithownadvertising
agency(seemyarticleAcritiqueofTheHumanDesignSystem).
ThesekindsofstorytellingwillbethefutureofNewAgeandtheselfhelpindustry,andit
willbeamusingtofollow,whatthenexttruestorywillbe.
Anyway,theparadoxintheselfhelpindustryis,thatitsbuildinsubjectivismandrelativism
areimplying,thatthereisntanyobjectivetruthcriteriuminanywholeness,orreality,that
transcendsus,atthesametimeasitistalkingalotabouttranscendingeverything.Accordingtothe
selfhelpindustrywecreatetruthandrealityourselvesthroughourlinguisticmappings,and
becausethereisnoobjectivetruthcriteriumtodecidethetruth,thenallsuchmappingsmustbe
equallytrue.Thisisimplyingthatthenewage,whichforexampleNewAgeistalkingabout,
cantbesaidtobemoretruethantheoldageviolenceandhatemustbeseenashavingthesame
truthasnonviolenceandcompassion.
Buttheideaaboutthatwecancreaterealityasitfitsus,isthereasonwhyselfhelpgurusin
extremecynicalwaysareabusingscienceasitfitsthem,anduseallkindsofunrealistic
exaggeratedgrandtitlesaboutthemselves(forinstancetheworldsgreatestmoneycoach,andso
oninthesamestyle).Becauseiftheyjustthinkitistrue,well,thenitmagicalmustbetrue.Thisis
especiallyseenwithinthemovementofthelawofattraction(Again:seemyarticleTheNew
Thoughtmovementandthelawofattraction).
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InthefollowingIwillinfivesequencesshowtheconsequencesofwhathappenswhenyou
reducetraditionalreligiousandphilosophicalpracticestopsychologyandpsychotherapy.Thefive
sequencesare:
1)ThetempleinDelphi
2)Becomingandbeing
3)Theconfusionoftheegowiththespiritualessence
4)Thepsychopath
5)BacktothetempleinDelphi
1)ThetempleinDelphi
Theselfhelpindustryistalkingaboutthatitisimportanttoknowthyself.Thatisnot
somethingnew.OverthedooroftheApollonTempleinDelphiwaswritten:Knowthyself.And
thesameconceptcanbefoundinalltruespiritualtraditions.
Buttheconceptionof,whatitmeanstofindyourself,hasbeenturnedupsidedowninthe
selfhelpindustry.Earliertheconceptoffindingyourself,wastofindyourplaceinrelationtothe
Gods.Atthattimeitwasaboutbeingyourselfwithoutbecomingarrogantandreckless
(egoinflated),andtherewithcommithubris(seemyarticleTheegoinflationintheNewAgeand
selfhelpenvironment).Theintentionwastodevelopyourselfinrelationtosomethingelsethan
yourself.Andthesamethingcanbeseeninothertruespiritualtraditions.
Inaccordancewiththeauthenticspiritualtraditionsthemovementoftimeisapower,an
expressionofenergy,whichfollowssomelaws.Thispowermovesinwavemovements,
pendulummovements,insituationmovements,aswellasincirculationmovements.Theuniversal
lawsofenergyinthemovementoftimeareknownasTao,TheDharmalaw,Karma,Destiny,
Hubrisnemesis,Logos,ThewillofGod,etc.
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TheBuddhistphilosopherNagarjunasaid,thattheNowsregularityinthefunctionofthe
energy,isdueto,thatenergyworksasstreamsanddividingswithinasuperiorwholeness.And
becausethewholenessisareality,eachpartwillalwaysfitintoanequivalentpart.Thismeans,
thateachpartonlycanbeunderstoodinrelationtoitsnegationthatis:whatthepartnotis.Atfirst
thisisimplying,thateachpartcometoappearaspartofapolarizationpairorapairofopposites
justlikeintheteachingofYinandYang.Secondlythisisimplying,thateachpartonlycanbe
understoodinrelationtoeverythingelsethatistosay:inrelationtothewholeness.
Sothemoreyou,throughtheEgosevaluations,isolatethesepartsfromeachother,themore
theabandonedpartswillworkstrongerandstrongerontheirpolarpartners.Thereforethesepolar
partnersintheirextremesfinallywillswingoverintheiroppositeextremes.Anotheraspectofthis
regularity,oranotherwaytodescribethisregularityis:energyreturnstoitsstartingpoint.And
sinceeverythinginthiswayonlyworkscorrelative,yes,thenNagarjunaclaimed,thatyouactual
cantsayanythingaboutthewholeness,onlyabouttheparts.Thereforehecalledthewholenessfor
theemptiness(snyat)ateaching,whichhadonequitecertainpurpose:theneutralizationofall
thedogmas,theoriesandviewpointswhichignorancehascreated.
Hereisthemainreasonwhytheselfhelpindustryhaslosttruespiritualityoutofsight:the
Egoworship,whichshutsitselfawayfromthiswholeness.Todaythewholeness,ortheotherness,
hasbeeneliminated,andonlythedevelopmentoftheself,ortheEgo,isleft.AndtheSelf/Egois
yourpersonalitythereforepersonaldevelopment(selfimprovement).Theproblemwiththis
personaldevelopmentisthatithasdevelopedintoaneverendingdevelopment,anegoistic
philosophy.Foranunderstandingofthenecessityofan"Otherness"inspiritualpractice,seemy
articleThephilosophyofKrishnamurti.
2)Becomingandbeing
TheEgoalwaysisinastateofbecoming.Becomingisthecentralconceptintheselfhelp
industry:allthetimetobeinastateofbecomingsomethingelsethanwhatyouare,aconstant
strivingfrompasttofuture,wherethegoalisconstantlyincreasingsuccess.Contrarytotrue
spiritualitywherebeingisthecentral,beinginthesensestudyingwhatyouare,tobewhatyouare,
togiveuppastandfuture,andbeintheNowwithwhatyouare.
Becomingisthecentralconceptinthefalsespiritualityoftheselfhelpindustry.Beingisthe
centralconceptintruespirituality.
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Becomingisactuallythemainhindrancefortheopeningintothesource,theGood,theTrue
andtheBeautiful.ItcontainsfourphilosophicalhindrancesfortheopeningintowardstheSource
(asmentionedIhavedescribedthisinmyarticleThefourphilosophicalhindrancesand
openings).
Anotherproblemwith,thattheselfhelpindustrytodayisonthefixedcurriculuminall
educationsisthatlifebecomesonelongexamination,whereyouconstantlyhavetodevelopyour
personality.Anunavoidablepartofthedailylifeisevaluationandcontinousassessmentof
yourself,andwhatyoudoandfeel.Youcantavoidit.Thereforeitisanideologythatpenetrates
everything.Theworkplaceusesprofessionalcompaniestomarkandgradeourperformanceand
effectiveness.Ourspousesrelaterunninglyto,whetherwecontinuedareworthlovingandliving
togetherwith.Educatersandschoolteacherscallusinformeetings,wherewordsareputon,
whetherwearegoodparents.
Itbecomesalifelongexamination,whereweconstantlystriveafterbecomingsomethingelse,
somethingmoreandbetteraneverendingpersonaldevelopment.Butinsteadoffindingourinner
self,webecomemoreandmorestressfulandinsecureabout,whethersomethingisgoodenough.
Anxietyanddepressionarespreadingeverywhere.Whattheselfhelpindustrydoesntseemto
understandisthatdiscomfort,anxiety,tension,stress,worryallformsoffeararecreatedbytoo
muchfutureandtoolittlepresenceintheNow.Hereweagainhaveaparadox,becausethe
selfhelpindustryistalkingalotaboutbeingthenow,atthesametimeasit,initsworshipof
becoming,doesntallowthis.Again:readmoreaboutthisparadoxinmyarticleSelfhelpandThe
MythologyofAuthenticity.
AsIhaveshowninmyarticleThenewfeminismandthephilosophyofwomens
magazines,Iclaimthatanewdangerouskindoffeminismplaysacentralpartinthistragic
comedy.
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3)TheconfusionoftheEgowiththespiritualessence
Bothselfhelpandtruespiritualityare,asmentioned,commoninthebelief,thathumanshave
adivinecore,whichthegoalistoreach.ButtheselfhelpindustryisconfusingtheEgowiththis
divinecore.Andthemainreasonisthatithasshutitselfawayfromthewholeness,andthe
otherness.
Andthestartingisalsothesame:namelyignoranceandsuffering.Buttheparadoxis,that
whenyoustartaselfhelpprogram,whichisbasedontheabovementionedconfusion,thenyou
maketheignoranceandsufferingevenlarger.Thatistheingenioustrickoftheselfhelpindustry
inordertokeepusasslaves(seemyarticleTheMatrixConspiracy).Thedivineissimplya
seducingpersuasionprogram.
Amainreasonforthisisalltheincompetentteachersintheselfhelpindustry.Itisteachers,
whomostoftenonlyhavetakenaweekendcourseortwo(forinstanceinNLPandcoaching),
whereaftertheywiththeircertificationsgoout,andarebeginningtellingpeopleaboutphilosophy,
spirituality,lifephilosophyandexistencephilosophy.Thatis:teacherswithoutanyphilosophical
education.
Actuallyphilosophytodayhasbeendirectlyremovedfromalltheoriesoflearning,and
thereforeyoualsohaveshutawaythepossibilityforeducatedphilosopherstogetachanceonthis
market.AweekendcertificationasNLPcoach,istodaymorevaluablethananuniversitydegreein
philosophy,eventhoughbothisaboutlifephilosophy.Ifyouwantabookpublished,orappearin
themedias,thebestistoadvocatetheselfhelpindustry.Thatisafact,andanexampleon,thatwe
here,fromthehighestpoliticallevels,canseesomepreferencesandchoices!Youcaninfactsee
theconceptofpersonaldevelopmentdescribedinEUsprojectonlifelonglearning,educationand
managementtheory.MyconceptoftheMatrixConspiracyispreciselydevelopedbecauseIquite
seriouslythink,thatwehereseethebeginningofoneofthemostdangerous,globalspreading,
ideologiesofourtime(again:seemyarticleTheMatrixConspiracy).
Sowhenyoutodaymakeaselfhelpprogramintoaguideforyourlife,itcanencouragethe
developmentofnarcissisticandegoistichumanbeings.Theselfhelpindustryisanexpressionofa
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mememeandthenperhapsyouifitservesmelogic.Thislogicisnotwritteninthemany
selfhelpbooks.Perhapsonthecontrary.Hereitispouringwithhomespunphilosophicalrulesof
living.Egoismisneverthelessalogicalconsequenceofthatselfcentredness,whichgoeshandin
handwiththemovementoftheselfhelpindustry.Itisthehiddenagenda,whereitbasicallyis
about,thatitismeandonlyme,whothroughmyinnerjourneyshalldeveloptowardsmyself.
Othersarewithoutimportanceinthatconnection.Theresultisthelonelypersonaldeveloping
humanbeing,whoworksinordertofindnothingelsethanherself.
4)Thepsychopath
Ifapersonreallysucceedsinadoptingtheadvicesoftheselfhelpbooksshereallygetsa
problem.Notonlydoesshehavetofightwiththeneverendingdevelopment,andtheegoism.She
isalsobecomingaseriousproblemforhersurroundings.Becausesheisnow,astheDanish
psychologist,NinasterbySther,says,apotentialpsychopath.
OnacourseaboutpsychopathsNinasterbyStherrealized,thattherewasmanysimilarities
betweenpsychopathictraits,andtheadvices,whicharegiveninselfhelpbooks.Itmadeherpoint
outsomefrighteningresemblances.
Thoughsomeoftheselfhelpbooksadvicesmightsoundsimilartotruespirituality(most
oftentheydirectlyquoteandusespiritualtexts),takenoutofcontext,thenyouhavetoremember
howthewholenessandothernesshavebeenremoved.Religionandphilosophyhavebeenreduced
topsychologyandpsychotherapy.Andwhenthishappensittakesatotallywrongcourse.
Theresemblancesare:
Smarter
Thepsychopath:apsychopathictraitistobeextremelyselfcentered,andexperiencing
yourselfassmarterthanmost.Theconceptionofyourownabilitiesandimportanceisunrealistic
exaggerated.
Selfhelp:InoneoftheAmericanselfhelpguruWayneDyersbooksitiswrittenthat:there
isnothingwronginperceivingyourselfasperfect,anddontbeafraidofyourowngreatness.
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Moreviolent
Thepsychopath:Psychopathscanttakecritique,resistanceordefeats,somethingtheyexpress
withviolentangeroraggresssion.
Selfhelp:IntheDanishselfhelpguru,ThoelesbookCouragetobeyourself,shewrites
thatitisunhealthynottogiveexpressionforyouranger(wrong!seemyarticleCathartic
psychotherapies).
Seekingexperiences
Thepsychopath:Psychopathshaveabigneedfornewexperiences,androutineandmonotony
oftenhaveaprovocativeeffect.
Selfhelp:Thoelewrites:Ifachildbehavespooranddull,wetakeitstemperature.Whyisit
thenwefeel,thatitisalrightforourselvestoflowthroughlifeinanordinaryandboringway?
Impulsiveness
Thepsychopath:Thebehaviourofthepsychopathischaracterizedbyimpulsiveness.He
followsthethoughtsandlustsofthemomentwithoutthinkingovertheconsequences,orfuture
goalsoractions.
Selfhelp:Dyerwrites:Ihavemyselfexperienced,thatyoucanlivetotallyinthenow,andI
thereforeknow,thatitistrue(thissoundslikespirituality,butremember,thatthereisabig
differencebetweeninstinctivereactionsfromthepast,andbeingintheNow.BeingintheNow
cantbewithoutselfforgetfulabsorptionintheotherness,orinthewholeness.Youarecertaintly
notapersonabletobecompletelyintheNow,ifyoualsoarefocusingonyourowngreatnessand
perfectionism).
Seekingexcitement
Thepsychopath:Psychopathsareseekingexcitementandthereforehavealargewilltorun
risks.
Selfhelp:Thoelewrites:Ichoosetolive!Tomethismeansayestotakerisks....ifsecureness
hasbeenachievedonthecostofstimulatingandcreativedevelopment,itwilljuststrangleus.
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Indifference
Thepsychopath:Thepsychopathgivesexpressionforhavingcertainrights,whichdo,thathe
dontneedtofollownormallaws,rules,orevenanymoral.
Selfhelp:Thoelewrites:Ihavetherighttosayno,withoutbadconscience...Ihavetheright
tobedifferentthanwhatisexpectedofme.
Thisisjustoneexampleonthemanyalternativeinterpretationsofhumanrights,whichare
happeninginthecultureofselfhelp.Freedomofspeechistodaytypicallyusedasajustificationof
offendingotherpeople(seemyarticleThenewfeminismandthephilosophyofwomens
magazines).Anotheraspectofthisishowpositivepsychologyencouragespeopletoignorewhat
theyfindnegative(seemyarticleTheNewThoughtmovementandthelawofattraction).
Withoutempathy
Thepsychopath:Thepsychopathunderstandsotherhumansfromtheiractions,andislacking
theabilitytofamiliarizinghimselfwithothersthoughtsandfeelings.Hehasnoproblemwith
establishingrelationships,butlackstheabilitytoattachment.Furthermoreheofteninstrumentally
usesotherswiththehelpofmanipulation,whereothersareusedinordertogethisownlustsand
needssatisfied.
Selfhelp:Thoelewrites:Emotionalindependenceisahumanright.Othersexpectationscan
beseenashinderingelements,andthegoalismostpossiblereleasefromthese.
YoucouldalsosimplymentionNLP,wheregreatcommunicationskillsareseenasthe
abilitytopersuadeotherstodowhatyouwant(seemyarticleNeurolinguisticProgramming
(NLP)andLargeGroupAwarenessTraining(LGAT))
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Guiltless
Thepsychopath:Thepsychopathdoesntknowwhatasenseofguiltis.Hehasaconspicuous
tendencytoexplainingaway,orrationalizing,hissocialproblemcreatingbehaviour.
Selfhelp:TheDanishselfhelpguru,Thorse,writesinhisbookAlittleguidetomodern
qualityoflife,that:Guiltismeaningsless,whenitcomestofeelings.ActualIwouldliketohave
thewordguiltremovedfromlanguage.
Thoughguiltisanegativefeeling,thenThorseobviouslydoesntunderstand,thatthis
negativefeelingcontainsamessageaboutthatthereissomethingyouhavetochangeinyour
behaviour,preciselybecauseyoucantescapeanorderofreality,whichisbeyondyourcontrol.
Butinatypicalsubjectivisticandrelativisticway,hethinks,thatyouonlyfeelguilt,because
humanshaveconstructedthisconcept.
Similarthingsarehappening,whenforexampleNewThoughtgurusthink,thattheywithout
consequencescanreformulatethekarmathought,sothatitsupportstheego,becausethisisa
muchmorepositiveinterpretation,thantheoldnegativeinterpretation(seemyarticlesThe
NewThoughtmovementandthelawofAttractionandJamesArthurRayandthesweat
lodgetragedy).
Thisdistinctionbetweenoldthinking(negative)andnewthinking(positive),is,asalready
mentioned,happeningagainandagainintheselfhelpindustry.Seethethoughtdistortion
NewSpeakinmybookADictionaryofThoughtDistortions.
ThebelowexampleillustratesThorsesrationalizationofbehaviour,whichintheeyesof
manypeoplewillberegardedasunethical,egoisticandirresponsible.Thepersonalexperienced
storyisanextractfromThorsesselfhelpbook,andare,withoutanyselfreflectionatall,
introducedwiththepurposeofteachinghisreadersaboutpersonaldevelopment
(selfimprovement!)andmodernqualityoflife:
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GymnasiumteacherThorsesyoungstudentLineentrustshim,thatsheissexualattractedby
hernewstepfatherErik.TeacherThorseanalysesthesituation,andtellshisstudent,thatthe
structureinheremotionalworldquiteclearlyisanattractiontowardsexperienced,charming
men,andthatshemustacceptherself.Thestudentacceptstheanalysis,and
Thesolutioncamefromanunexpectedangle:onaschooljourneytoLondonLinediscovered,
thatErikwasnttheonlyanswertoherfascinationofexperiencedmen.Shehadsuchacrushon
me(Thorse),thatIforashortwhilehadtroublecontrollingthecourse.Butsincemyownlifeof
feelingsalsowasinanunreleasedprocesofrenewal,itbecameapositive,andinreality
necessaryexperienceforbothofus.Whenwecamebacktotheusualsurroundingsherschool
andmywifewehadtoshortenthecourse,whatinfluencedLinemorethanactuallyplanned.But
otherwiseitisagoodmodel:twopersons,ineachtheircrisis,helpeachotherwithtakingthetiny
step,thatcanbringthemforward.(Thorse1996:36).
WhileThorselegitimatestheaffairwithhisstudentusingtheconceptaboutpersonal
development(=psychology),itcan,whenusingamoralperspective(=philosophy),becritizedon
severalpoints.ThorsesrelationshipwithLinecanberegardedasbothmanipulativeand
instrumental,andmoreovercanhisbehaviourbeunderstoodasirresponsibleandwithout
compassionforhiswife.
So,withstartingpointinmoral(philosophy),wesee,thatitinpracticeisdifficulttoseparate
thepersonaldevelopingpersonfromthepsychopath.Wealsosee,thatasubjectivisticmoralthat
is:amoraldefinedbytheindividualsfeelings(psychology)isnomoralatall.
NinastbyStherconcludes,thattheselfhelpbooksdonthaveanyalibiagainstproducing
psychopathlike,selfactualizinghumans.Thepsychopathictraitsaresimplylyingsmoulderingin
thebooks.Hermoralis,thattheselfactualizingpsychopathcanbeseenasanactualsocial
characterintheWesternsociety,supportedbyawholeindustryofselfhelpbooks.
Butwhenyouthinkabouthowmanypeoplewhoarereadingtheselfhelpbooks,thenit
howeverisstriking,thattherethenisntthatmanypsychopathsrunningaround(yet).Butthe
paradoxinthisis,thatpeopleseldomtotallysucceedinliberatingthemselvesfromamoral,that
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doesntcomefromthemselves.Asaruletheyhavesomekindofethicstheycantescapefrom
(becausetheycantescapefromtheotherness,orthewholeness).Therealpsychopathhasntgot
anyethics.
Butthisdoesntvalidatetheselfhelpindustry.
5)BacktothetempleinDelphi
Inaccordancewiththeuniversallawsofenergy,itiscorrect,thatthethoughtsandmindof
Manareparticipatingincreatingtheworld,eventhephysical,butnotinthewaytheselfhelp
industryindicatesit,yes,theselfhelpindustryactualdirectlycommitHubris.
Thismisunderstandingconsistsinalackofdiscriminationbetweencompensatorykarmaand
progressivekarma.Compensatorykarmacouldalsobecallednegativekarma,whilethe
progressivekarmacouldbecalledpositivekarma.Thenegativekarmaiscausedbytheego,or
whenthethoughtspendulumswingsoutinextremes,whilethepositive,progressivekarmafirst
willarisewhentheegohasbeeneliminated,andthethoughtsareinbalancebetweentheextremes
(readmoreaboutkarmainmyarticleWhatiskarma?).
Inconnectionwiththis,itisimportanttoknowthedifferencebetweenaselfishuseofenergy,
andanunselfishuseofenergy.Youcanalsotermthisasademonicaluseofenergy,andaspiritual
useofenergy,orasblackandwhitemagic.
TheEgoreligionandtheEgoexercisesaretheEgosincessantconfirmationordenialofthe
Ego:itisnousewithme!or:wonderfulme!.Both,eitherthedenialorconfirmationofthe
Ego,maintaintheEgoprocess,theEgoidentityandtheEgocentralization.TheEgosreligionand
exercisesaretheEgosneedsandlongingsandwill:Iwantto,Ithink,Ibelieve,Ifeel,Iwish,I
hope,Ithink,Ibelieve,Ifeel,Iwish,or,initsmostcommoncore:I,I,I.
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TheordinaryEgoconsciousnessfunctionsbybeingidentifiedwiththephysicalworld,with
instincts,sexuality,emotionsandcollectiveideals.Thetraditionalreligiousandphilosophical
exercisesworkthroughtheseaspectsbymeansof,forexamplethecorewhichexistsinthebasic
monasticvows:poverty,chastityandobedience.Thesepromisesworkwitharestructuringofthe
Egosownershiptothings,foodandpower,andtheyrestructuresexualityandemotions.First
thereafterthemysticalprocesscanbegin.Nokindofpsychotherapycanbringaboutthis.
TheEgoreligionandtheegoexercises(asencouragedintheselfhelpindustry)areblack
magic,satanism,etc.TheEgoisademonicalstructure,anditattractsdemonicalpowersand
energies,whichalsohavebeencreatedbytheEgophenomenon.Thesameenergyprocessand
function,whichrealizedspiritualteachersuse,canthereforebeusedforotherpurposesthan
spiritual.Whentheenergyprocessesoftheastralplanescollectivehistoryareusedspiritual,then
theEgo,initsegoisticisolatingandselfaffirmativefunction,stepsaside,andtheenergyisturned
intotheNow,andthereforeintowardstheSourceandthespiritualdimension.Thepeople,who
aroundaspiritualteacher,constituteanenergymandala,areinthiswaymadetransparentfora
highercommonhumanspirituality.
Inalesserrealizedpersonsuseofenergythecontactwith,andtheabilitytomanipulatewith
suchcollectiveformsofastralenergy,canbeusedforotherpurposesthanspiritual.Itcanbe
creative,Egoaffirmative,political,demonicalandsoon.
Thepowersthat,byrealizedspiritualteachers,aregiventoothersdisposalinhealing,energy
transmissionandspiritualinformationexchange,thesamepowerscanthemselvesbeturnedin
throughtheEgostructures,andtherewithintopastandfuture,andfragmentation(conflict).Inthis
waytherecanbeopenedcreativechannels,createdsuperEgos,createdpoliticalleadersand
popularseducers(inmyarticleThephilosophyofKarenBlixenIhaveinvestigatedthese
phenomenaindepth).
Thesephenomenaarewellknownfromhistoryandfromliterature.Inthestoryaboutthe
temptationinthedesert,wecanseethesepossiblewaysofusingtheenergypicturedinanticipated
form.Hereyouseethepossibilityofusingthefreedomandthepower,toelevationoftheEgoand
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theconsequentpowerandmaterialglory.ButJesusabstainsfromthisdeificationoftheEgo.Itis
alsoknownfromtheFaustmyth,describedbyforexampleGoetheandThomasMann.
Whenyouinaselfishwayusethepowersfromthecollectivehistoryoftheastralplane,and
whichdemonicalastralbeingswillhelpyouwith(becausetheegophenomenonistheirmagnetof
attraction)youcancreatepersonalpowerandmaterialglory.Thatistheessenceofblackmagic.
Butyouwilleventuallymeetthecompensatorykarma,orNemesis.
Youcaninshortnotusetheseenergiesasyouwanttothatis:through,forinstance,
positivethinking.
Theeternalcirclingaroundyourowndreams,desires,successetc.willinotherwordsbe
contrabalancedthroughtheoppositecategories.Theselfhelpindustryhereexposesitself,andits
followers,forthepossibilityofNemesis.
Anexample:assoonasyourthoughtsspreadthemselvestoomuchoutinanextreme,the
energysystemcompensatesbyseekingtobringitselfbacktothebalanceofthemiddle.The
systemdoesthisbyseekingovertowardstheoppositeextreme(forinstancefromperfectionismto
feelingoffiasco).Thatis:throughacontrabalancing,acompensation.Theenergyworksasa
pendulum.Themoreenergy,whichisinvestedintheoneextremeofapairofopposites,thelarger
theswingintheoppositedirectionbecomes.
Now,ifyoutesttheselfhelpindustryinrelationtothislaw,thenthelawwillsay:the
idealsaboutpower/perfectionism/successonlyexistinrelationtotheiropposites,namely
powerlessness,fiasco,loss.
Ifyouareextremelyoccupiedbyyourownsuccess,thesystemwillseektobalanceyour
thoughtsbybringingthemoverintheoppositeextreme,namelythepowerlessnessandthe
fiasco.Itisthereforeevident,thatthesemodernidealsaboutbeingasuccessandawinnerare
participatingincreatingaswingoverinstress,anxiety,depressionorfailure,fiasco.The
caseoftheselfhelpguruJamesArthurRayandthesweatlodgetragedyisanexampleof
howithappensinacontextofNewAgeShamanism(again:seemyarticleJamesArthur
Rayandthesweatlodgetragedy).AnotherexampleofthedangerousconsequencesofNew
AgeShamanismisHolotropicBreathwork(seemyarticleAcritiqueofStanislavGrofand
HolotropicBreathwork)
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Whatisapplyingfortheindividualperson,alsoisapplyingforthecollectiveandfor
nature.Youcanthereforealsowatchtheselawsofenergyingroups,societies,worldimages,
yes,inthewholeofmankind,aswellasintheUniverse.
TodaytheEgoextremeisreflectedincountlessfields.Toomuchenergyisinvestedin
armamenttoomanyatomicweaponstoomuchpollutiontoounequaldistributionofthe
richesoftheEarthtoounequaldistributionofthefoodandfruitsoftheEarth.Andfirstof
all:toomanypeoplearetoofocusedintheirEgotheyaccumulateenergytotheirEgo,to
oneselfortothefamilyEgothecompanysEgothenationalEgo.
Now,ifyoulookattheenergylaw,thenthisistheenergyinitsoneextremity.With
necessitytheenergywillswingoverintheoppositeextreme.Andthiswillnothappenina
silentway,whenyouconsidertheenormousmomentwhichisintheactualextreme,andit
willhappenverysimple:throughpollutionoftheenvironment,throughdisease(aids,cancer
andother)throughwarfare,terror,crises,innermasspsychoticcollapses,andthroughnatural
disasters.
However,atruespiritualpracticeistobeaware,whenyourthoughtsmovetoofarout.
Inthesituationyoucanthereforetrytoremembertheoppositeextremeandseektobringit
in.Thismakesthesituationmuchmoretrue(thisisactuallyalsoaquitecentralaspectof
criticalthinkingseeexamplesinmybookAdictionaryofthoughtdistortions).
TheawarenessitselfisintheNow,intheonenessoftheopposites,andthereforeinthe
fulcrum,whichistheunmovedbeinginthecentreofthecircularmovementoftime.Also
whensomethingelsefluctuatesanddancesbetweentheswingsoftheextremes.Thereforethe
trainingoftheawarenessinitselfwillgraduallyprevent,thatthereisgivenimpulsetothe
swings.ItistheGoldenMean,whichAristotleandBuddhatalkedabout,andwhichLaoTse
describesinhisbookTaoTeKing.
TheGoldenMeancangenerallybeformulatedastheartofbalancingbetweenthe
extremestoomuchandtoolittle.
TostriketheGoldenMeanisanartoflife,andtostrikethispathisanecessary
suggestionforhowwecanpreventcompensatorykarmatohappen,bothinourownlifes,as
intheworld.
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