The Way of The Flexible Gyroscope

AuthorHouse

Contents

1. Introduction................................................................12. The Gyroscopic Model........................................................53. Sigmund Freud's Tripartite Model............................................94. The Ego Defense Mechanisms..................................................135. Moods and Affect............................................................176. Mood Gone Wrong and Emotional Laziness......................................237. Our Ability to Change.......................................................298. The Gyroscopic Method for Self-Guided Growth and Change.....................459. Application to Our Troubled Communities.....................................5910. Some Major Biological Forces and their Impact...............................7111. Conclusion..................................................................75Appendix A: Listing of Ego defense Mechanisms...................................77

Chapter One

What controls your life? Is it your thoughts, your feelings, or your desires? Is it your behavior? This book offers a path to self-enlightenment and inner change that can transform your life. Through the use of a simple unified model, this book attempts to explain the behavior and interactions of individuals, groups, and systems. This book also presents a unique method that can be used for self-guided personal growth and change. Together, the model and method can be used to obtain greater mental flexibility, power, and stability. The long-term goal is continuous personal growth and change. As you proceed, you will gain a deeper understanding of yourself and of our world. You will also gain new tools that you can use when dealing with the people and the systems that surround and impact you. You can use these tools to teach others about your nature and about their own natures as well. They can be used to examine, analyze, understand, and teach about human behavior, and also about the behavior of systems. It is my hope that you will find this model and method to be of benefit.

Throughout the centuries, several repetitive questions regarding our existence have arisen. Who am I? Am I really happy with my life? Why do people act the way they do? Why do I think, feel, and behave the way I do? Why are people and systems so frequently resistant to new ideas; and so slow to change? Can things really ever change at all? The list goes on. In an attempt to answer these questions, many people have searched for the "right way" or the "right path" to follow. In response to this need, many "paths" have been developed and taught throughout the ages. Sometimes those teaching the various paths have claimed to have the only path to follow. The truth, however, is that there is no one right way or path to follow. There are many paths to many ends. Which path to follow, must ultimately be chosen by the individual, in order to meet their own particular needs and desires. Thus, this book will not attempt to place any one philosophy, system of belief, or end above another. The intent of this book is to teach a powerful tool that can be used to obtain deeper self-enlightenment, personal growth, and change. It reveals a method that can be used to overcome many obstacles that hinder one's ability to develop greater psychic and emotional flexibility.

Many theories and models have been proposed in an attempt to explain and understand human behavior. Most systems use a basic premise or central idea as their foundation. My system, too, follows such a construct. It states that all people and all systems are "gyroscopic". What I mean by the term "gyroscopic" will be explained more fully in the next chapter. But, briefly, gyroscopes have an inner wheel. People, like gyroscopes, also have an "inner wheel". Like gyroscopes, we cling to our own central axis for a sense of stability. Driven by our "inner wheels" we are all, by our very nature, mostly inflexible. Thus, we remain set in our own ways and remain mostly blind to our world. Here, I propose that all people and all systems resist change as a matter of natural law. In fact, I propose that my model is rooted in the natural laws of the universe, like any other phenomena such as gravity and inertia. As such, I consider this model to be a universal fact. However, the purpose of this book begins with the individual in mind: You. Enjoy!

Chapter Two

As we attempt to analyze and understand our own thoughts, feelings and behaviors, things can quickly become confused. In order to avoid such a state, it helps to have a model or framework in mind to help guide us. To keep us focused in our thinking. Models can provide us with a highly useful roadmap of the human experience. They can provide us with familiar points of reference; from which we can further expand our knowledge and understanding. Models can provide us with a structure that lends itself to greater clarification of our thoughts, observations, feelings, and conclusions. They can also be used to test our ideas and assumptions. Ideally, our chosen model should prompt us to remain objectively focused when we stray off course. Many models of the human mind (psyche) have been proposed. After close scientific and clinical scrutiny, some models of human behavior have been accepted as being more valid and relevant than others. One such model was Dr. Sigmund Freud's tripartite model. There he described three basic components of our psyche, namely: the id, the ego, and the superego. He then defined and described the initial sets of our Ego Defense Mechanisms, which were then further expanded by the works of his daughter, Dr. Anna Freud. They are described in Appendix A. In Chapters 3 and 4, I will present a small portion of their monumental works. Previously I had mentioned the term "gyroscopic". For the sake of greater clarity, I will begin with the standard definition of a gyroscope taken from Webster's New World Dictionary:

Gylro-scope (ji'ro skop', -r[??]-) n. [GYRO- + -SCOPE] a wheel mounted in a set of rings so that its axis of rotation is free to turn in any direction: when the wheel is spun rapidly, it will keep the original direction of its rotation axis no matter which way the ring is turned: gyroscopes are used in gyrocompasses and to keep moving ships, airplanes, etc. level

If you were to take a gyroscope, wind a string around its axis, and then rapidly pull the string, the central wheel would begin to spin at a very high speed. If you then placed the gyroscope on a tabletop, the gyroscope would stand upright, much like a spinning top. If you then attempted to push the gyroscope over on to its side, the gyroscope would simply stand right back up and return to its previous position. The gyroscope resists any attempt to change its axis. In fact, the faster the wheel of a gyroscope spins, the more difficult it becomes to shift its axis. The physical forces involved are readily observable and can be quite strong. They can actually be felt while manipulating the gyroscope in mid-air. If you have never seen or handled a gyroscope, it would be worthwhile obtaining one to witness first hand the powerful physical forces generated by gyroscopes. This will also allow you to directly witness their great resistance to any attempts that are made to change their axis of rotation. People and systems behave in this way as well!

When I teach students about the art of doing psychotherapy, I use the gyroscopic model as a core theoretical construct. For, just as a gyroscope seeks a stable axis, people also seek an axis of stability (i.e. a stable state of being). Imagine a person to be a gyroscope. What would then power that person's "central wheel" to spin: are all of their thoughts, ideas, emotions, fears, perceptions, needs, desires, beliefs, biases, hopes, and life experiences. With no framework to refer to, the therapist can easily get confused while attempting to understand what motivates the individual before them.

Chapter Three

One of the most powerful models of the human psyche ever developed was Sigmund Freud's tripartite (three part) model. His initial discovery of the preconscious and the unconscious mind eventually led him to develop the model. There he described the basic parts of the human psyche that we term, the "id", the "ego", and the "superego". I have attempted to diagram the basic parts of Freud's model in Fig.1 (below). Freud's model laid the foundation for the field of psychoanalysis. The following discussion of Freud's model is quite basic. A full discussion of his many findings and theories is not possible here. That having been said, I will start with some basic terms and definitions to be used.

Id is a term used to describe that place in our mind that holds the energy source for our two most basic drives: the sexual and the aggressive drives. Put crudely, the Id creates and powers our drive to have our needs met. Several psychoanalysts have expressed the concern that the terms sexual and aggressive have been too misleading. When we use the term "sexual" (originally termed libido) it is not meant in the modern sense of the word (i.e. "adult sexuality"), but instead is better described as our drive (need) to create. Likewise, the term "aggressive" is not meant to represent the more common view of the term aggressive (i.e. "violent"). Rather, it is meant to represent our drive (need) to dismantle (undo) the things around us. Some have proposed using the terms construdo (the constructive force) and destrudo (the destructive force) in place of the former terms.

It is important to bear in mind that these id forces co-exist in all of us, are unconscious, and never operate in isolation from each other. They are always present together, in each thought and action of ours. The unconscious mind accepts both the constructive and destructive drives as being equally valid and acceptable. However, at any given moment, one type can prove to be dominant over the other. Though many other factors may play a role, we do have some conscious input into deciding how we behave. Whether we will do things that are constructive and will add positive things to our lives: or if we will do destructive things that will worsen or destroy our lives is partially guided by our intent. Each day we must consciously decide if we will travel on a generally constructive path, or on a generally destructive one. In reality, we have great influence over the final choices we make, though sometimes this may not seem so. However, our faith and will power support our ability to maintain our chosen path.

Ego is a term used to describe that part of our mind that experiences the external world (reality) through the senses. It organizes our rational thoughts, and through the use of defense mechanisms (see Appendix A) governs and directs our behavior. The ego thus mediates between the impulses of the id, the demands of the environment, and the standards of the superego (covered next) to keep an individual intact and functioning. Ego defenses would then tend to support and protect our "inner wheels". In entities such as institutions and business systems, procedures serve the role of the ego.

Superego is a term used to describe that part of our mind that is critical of the self (ego) and enforces moral standards: at a conscious level it uses guilt to punish the ego, and at an unconscious level it generates anxiety and emotional discomfort. In crude terms, it serves as a set of brakes for the ego and the id. Institutions and businesses use policies, rules and regulations, implemented through a supervisory structure and process to serve the role of the superego.

Freud also described a psychic structure called a 'sensor' that essentially acts as a filter and gatekeeper for unconscious material. If the id impulse or unconscious material is too intense for us to emotionally handle, the sensor generates a very uncomfortable emotional state that he termed 'signal anxiety'. In response to the discomfort felt, the ego attempts to hide or to disguise the impulse in an attempt to lessen the anxiety.

Why the tripartite model is so important is that it attempts to explain the standard operating procedures of our conscious and unconscious minds. These operating procedures have a profound impact on the way we think, feel, and behave every moment of our lives. In the field of psychoanalysis, this model and the forces described that govern and regulate our minds are considered to be documented facts, and not just theory. The term psychic determinism is used by psychoanalysts to describe the tremendous power the unconscious has in shaping and directing our daily actions. Indeed, it tends to dictate the general course of our lives. The gyroscopic method presented later teaches a self-directed form of conscious determinism.

Chapter Four

Sigmund Freud described how the Ego uses a range of mechanisms to handle the conflict between the Id, the Ego, and the Superego while meeting our needs and protecting us. Which is why they are often called `ego defense mechanisms'. Freud noted that a major drive for most people is the reduction of tension and that a major cause of tension is anxiety. He identified three different types of anxiety:

Reality Anxiety

This is the most basic form of anxiety and is typically based on fears of real and/or possible events, such as being bitten by a dog, struck by a car, falling from a ladder, being struck by lightening, etc. The most common way of reducing the tension felt is to get away from the feared situation or event (i.e. avoid any possible contact with dogs, avoid crossing the road, by refusing to go up the ladder, or by avoiding being outside on rainy days).

Neurotic Anxiety

This is a form of anxiety that comes from an unconscious fear that the basic primitive impulses of the ID will take control of us, make us misbehave, and eventually lead us to be punished for our "bad" actions.

Moral Anxiety

This form of anxiety comes from a fear of violating values and moral codes, and appears as feelings of guilt or shame. When moral anxiety occurs, the mind first responds by an increase in active thinking and problem solving. The mind often seeks rational ways of escaping the situation. If this doesn't work, a range of defense mechanisms may be triggered. This can lead to very complex behaviors and interactions.

Ego defense mechanisms protect us from being consciously aware of a thought or feeling which we would otherwise find difficult to deal with or to tolerate. The defense mechanisms allow for the unconscious thought or feeling to be repressed (shoved and locked away under the surface) or to be expressed indirectly in a disguised form. By distorting reality, there is a change in perception that allows for a lessening of anxiety with a corresponding reduction in the tension felt. Wow, that's a mouthful! Repression is useful to the individual since it prevents discomfort, and leads to some economy of time and effort. Anna Freud greatly expanded upon the list of ego defenses, thus leading us to a much deeper appreciation of their nature and impact on our lives.

Thus, All Defense Mechanisms share two common properties:

1. They most often appear unconsciously.

2. They tend to distort, transform, or otherwise falsify reality.

A number of phenomena are used to aid in the maintenance of repression. These are termed Ego Defense Mechanisms (the terms "Mental Mechanisms" and "Defense Mechanisms" are essentially synonymous with this). The primary functions of these mechanisms are:

1. To minimize anxiety.

2. To protect the ego.

3. To maintain repression.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Way of The Flexible Gyroscopeby David S. Arnold Copyright © 2009 by David S. Arnold. Excerpted by permission.
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