24 See the dark world

Replacing Guilt

"Consider fictional Carol, who has convinced herself that she doesn't need to worry about the suffering of people who live far away. She works to improve her local community, and donates to her local church. She's a kind and loving woman, and she does her part, and (she reasons) that's all anyone can be expected to do.

Now consider fictional Dave, who failed a job interview. When telling his friends the story, he emphasizes how the interviewers were biased against him, and how they asked stupid questions.

Meanwhile, driven by hunger, a fox tries to reach some grapes hanging high on the vine but is unable to, although he leaps with all his strength. As he goes away, he remarks "Oh, you aren't even ripe yet! I don't need any sour grapes."

All of these reactions — and many others — share a common kernel. Carol, Dave, and the fox are all inventing reasons why an unpleasant state of affairs is acceptable. They're not inventing reasons why the world is good, by any means; but they are putting forth cognitive effort to make it seem tolerable."

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Original post: http://mindingourway.com/see-the-dark-world/

Allegory of the Dragon: https://anchor.fm/guilt/episodes/23-The-value-of-a-life-eja6s1

Remember the litany of Gendlin.

See also: leaving yourself a line of retreat.

Find Nate Soares at http://mindingourway.com

Find Gianluca Truda at http://gianlucatruda.com

Replacing Guilt is written by Nate Soares and produced, with permission, by Gianluca Truda. The theme music is a remix of Algorithms by Chad Crouch.