“If I know I’m crazy, does that mean I’m not?”
1
2
3
4
Interesting question. Why do you ask?
1
2
3
4
I’m not asking, I’m quoting. Just read that in a book.
1
2
3
4
Psychology book?
1
2
3
4
Mystery novel. About a Thai cop trying to solve a Silence of the Lambs-type murder and practice Buddhism at the same time.*
1
2
And does your Buddhist cop answer the question?
1
2
3
4
Not yet. Can you?
1
2
3
4
5
Yes. No.
1
2
3
4
No, knowing I’m crazy doesn’t mean that I’m not?
1
2
3
4
Right.
1
2
3
4
Why not?
1
2
3
4
Does finding a hole in your tooth make the cavity disappear?
2
3
4
No.
1
2
3
Same thing. We like to pretend we can think our way out of emotional problems. But recovery takes work.
1
2
3
4
What kind of work?
1
2
3
4
5
Uncomfortable work, usually.
1
2
3
4
But why?
1
2
3
Emotional problems tend to come from avoiding emotional discomfort. So discomfort is the price of recovery.
1
2
3
4
Discomfort as in…
1
2
3
4
Accepting our limitations. Taking risks. Becoming honest. That sort of thing.
1
2
3
4
Like practicing the alternatives to control.
1
2
3
4
Exactly. Those all involve tolerating some new discomfort.
1
2
3
4
I’d rather skip the discomfort.
1
2
3
Most people feel that way. Look around you. Met many healthy people lately?
1
2
3
4
Not many, no. But when does it end?
1
2
3
4
Recovery work?
1
2
3
4
Yeah.
1
2
3
4
If you’re doing it right, never. You just keep growing until you die.
1
2
3
4
Never? There’s no graduation, no Nirvana to attain, no Emerald City you reach?
1
2
3
Nope. Just the yellow brick road.
1
2
3
4
Great. So what now?
1
2
3
4
You choose, basically. Keep trying to avoid life’s discomfort, like most people do, or…
1
2
3
4
Learn to love the yellow brick road.
1
2
3
4
5
Right.
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Can I get back to you on this?
1
2
3
4
5
therapist (16)
1
2
* * * * * 3* * * * * ** * *
*The mystery Bert’s reading is The Godfather of Kathmandu by John Burdett (Alfred A. Knopf, 2010).
* * * *
February 19th, 2012 at 12:27 am
I love Bert!
February 20th, 2012 at 9:09 am
Bert’s blushing. 🙂
February 20th, 2012 at 9:06 am
I’m enjoying your posts very much. Thanks for sharing.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:07 am
Thanks, Charlie. 🙂
February 25th, 2012 at 1:12 am
[…] Fritzfreud says, Emotional problems tend to come from avoiding emotional discomfort. So discomfort is the […]