Defense Mechanisms. If one could identify a single phrase that is most relevant to the human being it would be “defense mechanisms”. Every single person has many defense mechanisms, most originating in childhood. It is through these mechanisms that we defend ourselves from things that are harmful to us. We defend ourselves from truths that are painful for us, but in doing so we must also defend ourselves from truths that are beautiful and useful to us. Thus, it is a double-edged sword, like many aspects of human physiology. Defense mechanisms that were developed in order to adapt to specific environmental circumstances in childhood become maladaptive once the child reaches adulthood and the environment changes. The mechanisms remain, however. It is only one’s deathbed, when all the walls come crashing down, when there is no longer any need to defend oneself, that a person is confronted with truth and regret. Defense mechanisms determine what a person can stomach, and how much truth they can swallow. It would be wise for any person who wishes to see their life reach its greatest fulfillment to hone on these mechanisms with extraordinary care and to understand them deeply and completely. This is the path to becoming oneself. Why is it that so many artists and philosophers are either mad or otherwise ill, mentally and physically? It is because these are the means by which defense mechanisms are broken down. Suddenly, there is too much chaos, suddenly the human organism has too much to defend at once.
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Defense Mechanisms
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Defense Mechanisms. If one could identify a single phrase that is most relevant to the human being it would be “defense mechanisms”. Every single person has many defense mechanisms, most originating in childhood. It is through these mechanisms that we defend ourselves from things that are harmful to us. We defend ourselves from truths that are painful for us, but in doing so we must also defend ourselves from truths that are beautiful and useful to us. Thus, it is a double-edged sword, like many aspects of human physiology. Defense mechanisms that were developed in order to adapt to specific environmental circumstances in childhood become maladaptive once the child reaches adulthood and the environment changes. The mechanisms remain, however. It is only one’s deathbed, when all the walls come crashing down, when there is no longer any need to defend oneself, that a person is confronted with truth and regret. Defense mechanisms determine what a person can stomach, and how much truth they can swallow. It would be wise for any person who wishes to see their life reach its greatest fulfillment to hone on these mechanisms with extraordinary care and to understand them deeply and completely. This is the path to becoming oneself. Why is it that so many artists and philosophers are either mad or otherwise ill, mentally and physically? It is because these are the means by which defense mechanisms are broken down. Suddenly, there is too much chaos, suddenly the human organism has too much to defend at once.