From PZ’s Who Will Deliver Us?:
“Assimilation of negativity” refers to a person’s willing, painful embrace of the sorrows of life, of himself and his flaws, in coexistence, almost union, with his confidence, aspirations, and joys.
It is the opposite of splitting- the phenomenon of distancing our conscious self from unacceptable feelings and experiences to such an extent that a fissure opens between the conscious self and the unconscious self.
With reality knocking at the door, the age-old message persists – “Accentuate the Positive!!”, if you don’t, there is no way to survive.
The message of the Gospel – of God unjustly crediting us as good – allows us to unsplit (break down the wall, let the shark back in the water) and deal with the real troubles that we have long cordoned off and do so without being crushed and devoured.
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2 responses to “Assimilation of Negativity”
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Many thanks, Drake. For this blessed little thought (that’s what PZ called a tiny mini-sermon back when he was in Birmingham). A great BLT.
What a wonderful way to start the morning. I needed it especially today.
Will you be in Manhattan in six weeks? Mbird conference?
Drake –
amazing as usual.