Comments on: Repression without reflection plays havoc with the soul

By: k

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:01:47 +0000

I am very skeptical about this article (that is I think there are mistakes in it). Another day I have to write a long comment with my arguments for why I think so – by using references. One of my arguments is that I think too much “strategic thinking” is itself imperious self (the imaginative faculty).

@Eileen: I have not read all the other comments for this post so I am not commenting on your comments on other’s comments.
But about the imperious self: I think the most important thing is first to understand what the imperious self is! Maybe you should read chapter 37 in The Path of Perfection. This article has also helped me:
http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/the-imperious-self/

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:45:08 +0000

Thank you for providing such an indepth analysis. For a great many years and up to the present time, I have had great difficulities understanding the strategies of the/my Imperious Self. I believe I fit into the categories illustrated by the two examples in the two bullet points cited above (in the second section of the article).

However, for most of my life, I’ve also experienced a lack of self-confidence, feelings of despondence, etc.

To reiterate a question cited by Neuro, what are the steps to NEUTRALIZE the manifestations of my imperious self? I still don’t know how to approach this. I can understand that doing something good can help—for example, when someone says things against you (see Ostad Elahi’s “100 Maxims”). And, to refresh our memory, quoting from Max Farsh’s commentary: “….The divine favor and grace of God is a necessity. Without it, the imperious self usually wins out…”.

These points noted, I find myself attempting to repress my Imperious Self. Usually I try to remember to ask for God’s help, have a positive thought or even say prayer at the moment when my Imperious Self tries to ensnare me. Is this the way to neutralize the Imperious Self? If anyone has any ideas on this, I would appreciate their thoughts.

My gratitude to whomever reads this. Thank you.

By: neuro

neuro — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:55:26 +0000

This is a wonderful article–extremely relevant.
It is very hard for me to understand how to neutralize certain aspects of my imperious self other than just using self-suggestion. When it strikes me very hard, I feel powerless to stop it and unfortunately self-suggestion doesnt work in these extreme cases. This article has made me realize that sometimes the root of the problem is not obvious and requires a lot of reflection. Once I realize the source of the problem, it becomes easier to plan how to defend myself against the whims of the imperious self.

By: KV

KV — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:17:20 +0000

I must say that was an excellent article, thank you. The specific and concrete examples provided were very, very helpful. Also, the idea of the various manifestations of the imperious self as useful ‘symptoms’ helping our progress towards self-knowledge has really opened my eyes to another facet of the struggle against the imperious self.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:39:27 +0000

I realized that overcoming the impulses of the imperious self can be much more efficient in the long run, when I have a better understanding of the situation or when I identify the causes of my frustrations. Thanks for this article which opens up another perspective in which reflection is pointed out as a necessary complement to repression.

By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:06:53 +0000

It is amazing how this valuable article helps me understand the origin of my frustration; my encounters with the outside world usually bounce back and forth between two states of mind: either too aggressive or too silent but resentful and pessimistic. I never realized prior reading this article that these are two sides of the same coin (Pride, which is the most poweful tool of imperious self).

By: Juneone

Juneone — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:38:39 +0000

I truly needed this.

A question for fellow readers on the subject quoted in section 2 bullet point 1: If, after realizing that they were being negatively impacted by the exposure to this sarcastic person, made a choice to avoid them, would they be shortchanging their developmental process? Would that be akin to letting the imperious self win, even if they were aware of why they were doing it, and aware of the work that needs to be done?

By: Max Farsh

Max Farsh — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:39:15 +0000

Thank you for your wonderful article. I agree with the five summary bullet points, it is explained rationally and is very applicable. However from my own experience, I believe there is an important point that is transparent in these bullets with regards to overcoming the imperious self.

In order to be victorious in what the author rightfully calls the continuous struggle and overcome a negative quality of our being, my own experience and readings make it clear that the divine favor and grace of God is a necessity. Without it, the imperious self usually wins out. This might be a simple and subtle point, but I believe it has the most weight. Of course the author of the article has elucidated our part in this struggle in a succinct and effective manner.

By: Banoo

Banoo — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:42:17 +0000

Thank you so much for such a clarifying article. I generally feel “satisfied” when I am successful in restraining my imperious desires. As a result, I do not question my behaviour any further until my imperious self catches me off guard, or until it somehow sneaks upon me through other symptoms such as being aggressive toward other people. Your article explains how and why this happens and most importantly it reveals how one can neutralise the never ending impulses of the imperious self.
I understand now that practicing repression alone is not enough; one must take the process a step further and search for the “real reasons” of one’s unethical behaviour. I found the examples extremely helpful. The concept of neutralisation works very positive for me and I find the expected results very rewarding.

By: Tiara

Tiara — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:04:48 +0000

The other day walking in a sculpture garden and thinking about this article, I came upon the famous statue by Rodin, The Thinker. I can still see it in my mind: a beautiful green lawn, a narrow path and suddenly there it was. an imposing black figure sitting on a stool and thinking with his hand under his chin.
I found this incident very telling. I realized I don’t analyze my motives, thoughts, actions, words, etc … In other words, I don’t think enough. No I shouldn’t say this. I do think countless hours about various things: planning a vacation, making an investment, what to make for dinner … I just hate to delve within myself. Maybe this is a symptom of our modern times; there is not enough time to devote to introspection. Maybe it is too painful to try and figure out our shortcomings or weaknesses. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
After encountering “The Thinker” I also realized that I should be a thinker in life, just like the statue. I was also very sorry to have missed all these opportunities to go beyond the surface of events and things and know myself better; all these wasted situations, lessons, efforts.
Well, hopefully it will be different from now on. It will be hard to be more contemplative and less rushed but then this is also a chance to learn to be patient.