I’m continuing on yesterday’s topic because I think it’s fascinating.<\/p>\n
Why do compulsions\/addictions work? DBW said in his comments yesterday “most compulsions are the result of an effort to fill a vague, or not so vague, emptiness–a hole in the soul.” I agree. And although they seem to be temporary fixes, why do they fix at all? How do they “fix”?<\/p>\n
In a letter to Bill W (one of the founders of AA) Carl Jung says this about a mutual acquaintance who had recently found the program, “His craving for alcohol was the equivalent on a low level of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God.”
\nThe reason for AA’s success over the years is due to it’s understanding of alcoholism as being a spiritual problem in need of a spiritual solution.
\nJung continues: “The only right and legitimate way to such an experience is, that it happens to you in reality and it can only happen to you when you walk on a path, which leads you to a higher understanding. You might be led to that goal by an act of grace or through a personal and honest contact with friends, or through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism. I see from your letter that Roland H has chosen the second way, which was, under the circumstances, obviously the best one.”
\nThis concurs with DBW’s comment that one must find something more meaningful to fill that hole. Not an easy task for many. Once again ladies and gentlemen, Carl Jung: “You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.”<\/p>\n
My question remains the same. What value are these things on this planet that give us that feeling of wholeness in a quick fix sort of way. I agree that compulsions and addictions eventually overtake many lives and destroy them. They are like a deal with the Devil. The Devil says if you take this drug you will find wholeness and spiritual fulfillment. The Devil’s right, you do. But soon the only path to God is through this drug and you become wholly dependent on it, nothing else will do, thus the Devil owns your soul. I believe that moderation is the key, but in my own experience, even with AA, many answers that have been given to me were complete and total abstinence, just say no. Not an easy thing to do if your compulsion is food, or sex, or shopping. And let’s face it, some things just won’t take no for an answer.<\/p>\n
So like I said in yesterday’s post, there seems to be an aspect of giving the Devil his due, or, since my spiritual beliefs tend to lean in a much more polytheistic manner, the Devil, or Devils, are all Gods and demand their reverence, their due. Moderation fits well here because with so many Gods demanding their piece of your soul one must be careful to moderate one’s reverences.
\nFor me, this takes a lot of work. It’s difficult to figure out what each specific addiction\/compulsion is asking of me; which God is demanding my allegiance through my gambling, my drinking, and my sexual desires? To me, at this point in my life, it’s all good.<\/p>\n
I remember many years ago waking up out of a sound sleep with a thought that seemed to come out of nowhere, “God neither rewards nor punishes.” It was a spiritual revelation for me at the time and sent me on a different path in my life. I recently had a similar experience except the message this time was, “God and the Devil are one.”<\/p>\n
Heavy stuff, controversial stuff, sorry to put it all out there, but Sheila told me to just write what’s going on with me. Enjoy your day!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I’m continuing on yesterday’s topic because I think it’s fascinating. Why do compulsions\/addictions work? DBW said in his comments yesterday “most compulsions are the result of an effort to fill a vague, or not so vague, emptiness–a hole in the … Continue reading