I am a 49-year-old British man with a degree in social science, obtained in 2003. But my passion and focus have been on psychology and mental health since then, particularly in regard to my own experiences. My understanding of these topics has been shaped by various schools of thought, including Freudian psychoanalysis, and more significantly, Jungian and post-Jungian psychology.
If you are struggling with conflict neurosis, I hope I can help you gain insight into the reasons behind it and offer strategies for overcoming it. My experiences of dissociation or being triggered are directly proportional to the extent of my ego’s involvement in related identifications. The solution lies within me, in the form of my identifications.
It is difficult to manipulate an egoless person. It is therefore difficult to dissociate or trigger an egoless person. An egoless person is someone not attached to their identity and is not easily influenced by external forces.
But no, I am not egoless. After all, it is a lifetime process I am engaged in, concerning overcoming my own identifications. I only do so when motivated by inner neurosis. I am still passionate about getting ahead and succeeding. Maybe that will one day change. But I have deliberately become more and more egoless in multiple areas as I realised that ego identification was destroying my mind with never-ending dissociative triggers. Hence, I might come across as egoless. As we shall see, I have deleted a lot of ego identification material from my mind.
In the outer world, I am beyond the stage of explaining to myself (and others) why I have seen through and gone beyond identifying with this or that narrative, stuff, propaganda, dogma – whatever you want to call it. But where I write about it, I continue to do so. Indeed if anyone in my family was curious about what I was up to, then typical of an introvert, I would not do much talking at all. Instead, I would refer him or her to my writings.
To continue explaining keeps me (just a tiny bit) still identifying with the content. I have moved on. I now no longer explain why I don’t think anything about X in exactly the same way that I don’t explain why I don’t think anything about the Harlequins Rugby team or Chinese. ( have no knowledge of either whatsoever, except that Harlequins are a Rugby team and Chinese is the main language spoken in China.
This is not a form of psychological sedation. Repression and psychological sedation are two distinct concepts. Instead, this is a process of “seeing through” which results in indifference. For example, in the case of Harlequins, I am not repressing them, but rather, I am simply indifferent towards them.
If someone is concerned about my thoughts on X, Y, and Z, I’ll make it clear: I do not hold any thoughts based on identifications, so it’s as if they are speaking Chinese to someone who only speaks English and does not understand a word of Chinese.
If there are manipulative attempts to attract my attention they won’t work either because I have no interest in the material being used to attract my attention. Think Harlequin’s litmus test and think Chinese. I don’t care. For manipulation to work on the other person the other person has to be identifying (in some way) with the material being used to garner their attention. Otherwise, it’s just noise.
The most neurotic identification of all is the mental illness of identification with truth, being educated and being right. The reason for this is that those types of things are the roots of all the power and control manipulative identifications.
When consciousness exists without any overlaying power, control, or manipulation imposed by others, the only reality that remains is a wordless awareness of one’s existence. This state of pure awareness, where the mind is free from external influence, can bring a sense of peace and contentment that is often elusive in our daily lives. It allows us to experience the present moment in its true form, without the filters of our thoughts, beliefs, and biases clouding our perception.
In this state of consciousness, the boundaries between self and others dissolve, and we become more attuned to the interconnectedness of all beings. This can lead to a deeper sense of empathy and compassion, as we come to understand that the struggles and joys of others are not so different from our own.
However, achieving this state of pure consciousness is not easy, as it requires a great deal of self-awareness, discipline, and mindfulness. It involves letting go of our ego, letting go of our attachment to material objects, and letting go of our need to control and manipulate our environment.
This is not to say that one must renounce all forms of power, control, or manipulation. Rather, it is about using these tools in a more conscious and mindful manner, without letting them become the driving force behind our actions. By cultivating a sense of inner peace and contentment, we can navigate the complexities of life with greater ease and grace.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a balance between the realities of power, control, and manipulation in the world, and the inner reality of pure consciousness. By doing so, we can create a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and in harmony with the world around us.
Much else is nonsense. Do people know they are power-tripping and being manipulative? Take my simple sports fanatic example. Imagine a New Jersey sports fanatic who hates a New York sports team. Not once in his life will they say that they are being prejudiced and manipulative and biased. Why not? Because they have repressed the truth. Why? So that they can be prejudiced, manipulative and biased. But what repressed the truth? They applied the censor – censored it from themselves. It would require hypnosis to get the individual to admit this. I am not sure if a lie detector would unearth it because this mindstate makes the truth unconscious. This is a mere sports example. But other issues that I have referred to such as politics and gender try to take the entire nation for manipulative power and control reasons.
If you are seeking the truth, let me remind you that when consciousness exists without any power, control, or manipulation from others, the only truth that remains is an awareness of one’s existence, without the use of words.
Of course, not everything we identify with is manipulative. There’s basic common sense such as don’t put your hand in the fire. Don’t go out for a swim in rough seas, and don’t sprint at high speed into a brick wall. But this basic level of common sense is about it. But note, these are NOT identification issues. There’s no manipulative power and control over others involved in those examples.
It’s essential that I understand the deletion of truth, being educated, and being right in my own head. In other words, don’t project it out onto others. Delete it in me – just like I have done with other issues. The truth/educated/right issue is inextricably linked to those other identity issues. The other issues use truth/educated/rights as their weapons).
It is important to take note of the binary system present in various aspects of our lives. These binary oppositions often create a dualistic view of the world, where everything is either one or the other, with no room for nuance or complexity. The most commonly recognized binary opposition is the distinction between true and false. Another binary that is widely acknowledged is the distinction between the educated and the uneducated. In a similar vein, the binary of right and wrong also plays a significant role in shaping our beliefs and actions. These binary systems may seem straightforward, but they can often oversimplify the complexities of the world and limit our perspectives. It is important to keep this in mind as we navigate through life and to always strive to see beyond these binary oppositions.
I have also successfully overcome the binary identification related to gender. I have learned to focus primarily on my own identification issues instead of projecting them onto others. Neurosis is always linked to conflict, specifically inner conflict. I used to externalize these conflicts, but I don’t anymore.
I am ending this identification right now, but I do not want to be dogmatic or ideological about it. The moment an issue becomes an ideology or dogma, it becomes an identification in and of itself. I choose to simply eliminate the identification.
I have no interest in the biological argument surrounding gender, as it is just another binary that leads to conflict. The topic holds no relevance for me. That’s the end of it.
In regards to the male-female binary, it exists biologically, but it is surrounded by manipulation and nonsense. This is my starting point when it comes to addressing binary conflict identifications. I acknowledge the reality of the binary, but I reject the manipulations that are imposed on them. For example, I reject misogyny in the context of gender and the sexual fantasies that are projected onto sexuality, as they cloud and complicate everyday life and can lead to problems with others.
I thoroughly examine any identification neurosis to avoid falling back into the trap of conflict and manipulation surrounding binary identifications. My approach is always to cure the issue as soon as possible.
When it comes to gender and sexuality, there is only consciousness. Everything else is manipulation, nonsense, conflict-obsessed, and messed up. Consciousness is contaminated when it is mixed with identifications and manipulations. We all have contributed to this contamination, and most people eventually mature in their identification issues. However, some people never mature and are unaware of their actions.
My approach to Gender and Sexuality is to see them simply as aspects of consciousness and not to give them any undue importance or significance. The narratives and discussions that often accompany these binary identifications are, in my opinion, filled with manipulation, power, and control, and I have learned to see through these conversations and not to engage with them.
I have eliminated my identification with gender and no longer see it as a relevant factor in my life. If any other identification issue arises, I will treat it similarly, working through my own inner conflicts to achieve better mental health. This is an important part of my personal growth and inner work, especially as an introverted individual. The goal is to reach a state of psychological and mental well-being, free from any inner neuroses.
The psychosocial reality we live in is full of manipulations and projections. These manipulations often arise from binary conflicts and identifications such as believer/sceptic, Democrat/Republican, or right/wrong. The problem lies not in the existence of these things, but in the discourse and manipulative associations surrounding them. When we are successfully manipulated, we might spread the virus by projecting the manipulation onto others, either consciously or unconsciously.
People are inherently manipulative creatures and may become corrupted by wealth and power, which is prevalent in modern society. The roots of power and control identifications stem from buzzwords such as Right/Wrong, true/false, and educated/uneducated. To see through manipulation, one must recognize and understand these buzzwords and their connection to power and control. The more self-aware and mature a person is, the less they are likely to be manipulated or engage in manipulative behaviour. To truly understand and break free from these manipulations, one must embark on an inner journey of self-discovery and growth, examining and curing the inner neurotic conflicts and identifications.
Manipulation can also stem from deeper psychological and emotional factors such as fear, insecurity, and a need for control. It can manifest in subtle ways, such as playing on the emotions of others to get what we want, or in more overt ways, such as using lies and deceit to gain an advantage.
Moreover, the impact of manipulation can be far-reaching, affecting not only the individuals directly involved but also the wider community. When individuals in positions of power manipulate for their own gain, it can undermine trust in institutions and destabilize entire societies.
It’s important to be aware of manipulation in our own lives and to work towards being more self-aware and mature individuals. This can involve examining our own motivations and seeking to understand why we may feel compelled to manipulate in certain situations. Additionally, building strong relationships based on trust and transparency can help to prevent manipulation and promote healthier interactions.
Ultimately, recognizing and confronting manipulation in all its forms is an important step towards creating a more just and equitable world. By raising awareness and promoting self-reflection, we can create a more compassionate and trustworthy society.
Paul Budding is the author of “Building Upon Carl Jung’s Complex Theory“.
