Judgments of the Mind

Question: Why do I feel such avoidance when I’m in the presence of someone with a mental disorder?

Almine’s Answer: It makes us uncomfortable because we are seeing parts of ourself. The psyche develops not in linearly progressing stages, but rather through encasing previous stages in newly developed ones, much like the layers of an onion. If an adult acts out the infantile behavior of a young child, he would be labeled as ” mentally ill”.

At the core of the psyche of a normal adult, these parts still slumber as the Inner Child. Seeing these suppressed, or well- governed parts of our self articulated in another, makes us uncomfortable.

Question: Why are we hesitant to admit that we are going to a psychologist, even though it has become more socially acceptable?

Almine’s Answer: We view the world as hostile, and therefore feel hesitant to reveal gaps or chinks in the armor of our personalities. In a world that teaches that only the most fit survive, perceived weakness could be held against us.

The world is only hostile if we see it as a cause, and ourselves as an effect. If we know ourselves to be the creators of our environment, the world is only as hostile as we make it. The power our being has in manifesting our sustenance can make the environment supportive rather than hostile.