Classroom Talk
Fall 2001 Archive
Another Monster Posted by Bruce on November 03, 2001 at 10:18:51:
Grreeting Coach,
Greetings Seen and Unseen Spirits,
Infernal and Divine:
John, thanks for the Part One coaching gems. I was especially impressed
with your guess that my other primary types are NOT what I originally
diagnosed; in fact, the only one that I'm certain is a primary type is
the Doormat enneagon. I've been waking up to another monstrous habit:
Approval Seeking! Compulsive Approval Seekings takes place in intimate
relationships especially with individuals whose love, admiration, and
respect I most compulsively need. You said that Approval Seeking is the
cornerstone of the Believer type so I will examine those dynamics as
soon as I am able. I do need to become the Hare and stop being the racy
harried overly sped up Rabbit for a while---well, like for the rest of
my eternal life. I love the book, Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,
because the writer convincingly proves to me that the sped up mode is
the preferred tempo of my ego. The ego is driven at breakneck
speed..."hubba hubba...prestissimo you slaggard..." So thanks for
reminding me to slow down.
I have a theory that each of my Types comes out to wreck havoc on my
soul in different spheres of life. I like the Existential (Binswanger)
categories of Eigenwelt, Mitwelt, and Umwelt. Eigenwelt, the sphere
which deals with self-beliefs and self-self dynamics is clearly
dominated by my doormat traits: I can't measure up to internalized
standrads(introjects) of perfection, shoulds, oughts, negative
comparison to ideals of what I should be. The Mitwelt, the world of
being with others brings
out another Monster: insatiable approval/admiration seeking from
others. This you say is the Student/Believer type. Well, this monster
is raising its ugly head frequently now and I'm waking up to the fact
how much and how often I NEED to receive admiration, strokes, praise
form others--especially others whom I love. And if it is not
forthcoming---boom...what's this! what's this!!! ANGER---
RACA...Resentment---big time...
I do need to slow down and will practive necoming mindful of my time-
consciousness habits. I like the Jim Morrison lyrics:
Go Real Slow
You like it mo and mo
Take it as it comes
Specialize in having fun
I never take it slow. I never like what comes up. I rarely merely take
things as they come...and Fun---what's that!
Bring on Part Two, I'm ready. I'm not afraid to sit in the room of self-
examination. Kierkegaard wrote, "The True Christian is one who doesn't
fail to take the test of self-examination."
I am I
Don Quixote
The Lord of La Mancha
I go where my destiny calls
And the wild winds of fortune
Keep blowing me onward
to whither and ever they blow
Onward to Glory
I go!
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Archived 01/08/2002