The Sandy Hook tragedy is already imprinted in the minds of American citizens as one of the worst killings that have ever taken place in US history. You can remember it, the exact moment you heard the news that 20 young kindergarteners and first graders were shot to death. Emotions and images flashed through your being. Inevitably, we turn our thoughts to the shooter, the Adam Lanza, and our emotions turn to high boil. I have seen people post and express about their anger, hate, or desires for greater justice or revenge upon those responsible. I say "those responsible" because I have seen that same anger and resentment directed towards gun supporters, the government, our social systems, the shooter's family, and other issues at hand. In the end, our mind inevitably searches for the greatest question facing us at this moment: WHY?
Our Own Reactions Weaken Us
What kind of person was Adam Lanza? What kind of person could he have been that caused such a person to commit such a horrible act? I have heard him called "insane." Others may have called him a monster, psycho, or evil. Some don't care who he is as much as what they wished him a much more horrible death or punishment for his crimes. What do you think? Is he evil? Born a murderer, deserving of no mercy?
Think about these reactions and your own reactions for a moment. Are you labeling, cursing, or degrading the character of Adam Lanza in an attempt to separate the likeness of your own character to his? Most of us are not even conscious of such a defense mechanism, but it is nonetheless very real and very common to react like this. The more we insult, curse, and view others as unearthly, inhuman, evil people, the more we mentally separate ourselves from them. The greater this effort to separate ourselves from those we perceive as evil or bad, the more indicative it is that inside, we do not want to handle the pain or discomfort of considering the possibility that we could be like that person. Our unconscious does a great job at protecting us from this pain, but it only serves to leave us vulnerable to go down the path to becoming like that "evil" person.
Yes, we are all capable of doing the very same thing that Adam Lana did in Sandy Hook Elementary. It is what we choose to do with such knowledge that truly keeps us from going down that same path. My last blog entry talked all about how our reactions to those who we consider "evil" can leave us open to becoming one of them and how to avoid that. Here's a link: How Would You React to a Criminal?
What Was The Cause?
Yes, Adam Lanza was a human being, no less valuable and deserving of love than you or me. But what caused him to become who he became and commit such a massacre of innocent lives? To answer that question, we have to take a look into our views of human nature: are we born inherently good or bad? Are we all evil at heart and need to continually seek to be good? Or are we good at heart and bad forces in the world just make us bad if we are not careful?
So what do you think, are we born evil? Or are we born good? Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
To be Continued!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
How Would You React to a Criminal?
Hello one and all!
It has been a while since i have posted on this blog. The process of planning the wedding reception, getting married, and settling into the new Kat flat has been time consuming! But highly recommended :)
But, i'm jumping right into a serious and yet pertinent topic: people are being driven to kill. For the past couple of months, checking the CNN app on my phone for the latest news has only revealed the same troubling headline: murders, killings, suicides all across the U.S. in isolated cases. If becoming a murderer was a disease, it would seem to be spreading more and more each day. Finding a "cure" to fight against this "disease" would naturally be the goal.
If only it were that simple.
Aurora, Colorado: Holmes, Empire State Building, NY: Johnson, Sikh Temple, Wisconsin: Page.
Each of these incidents involved a single man committing murder(s). I've included links to news articles covering each tragedy above. Whenever we hear news of people being killed, it naturally strikes an emotional response within most of us. We feel sadness, sympathy for the victims and their families, etc. How do we react towards the perpetrator, the murderer? It is usually the opposite response: we usually feel anger, hostility, and other strong feelings. I've always taken interest in the way people react to those who do "bad" things. Some react by focusing on justice: "I hope he gets what he deserves." Some focus more on a possible solution for society so that people like them don't murder again: "People like him need to be locked up in jail." Finally, others react by asking, "Why did he do this?"
Finding out the roots can lead us to much more effectively address the problem. We are not talking about a disease that is infecting people; we are talking about individuals each making the decision to kill. We are not talking about people who were born evil or chose to be an evil sociopath going about doing their work; each of these men were born of a mother, had their first birthdays as an infant, grew up learning their ABC's in Kindergarten. Each of these men had hobbies, talents, favorite foods, pets, and friends. Each of them had aspirations, goals, and wishes as a child, a teenager, and adult. They have shared laughs, joy, and meaningful moments with those close to them. Each of them were once an innocent human being who were trying what they could to have a good life. They were not just born evil or just became evil "just because." They used to be regular people, just like you and me. In fact, in many ways, they still are.
One of the main purposes of this topic and actually of this blog is to open your mind up to the real world as it is. Each person on this Earth has his or her own whole life story. Each human being is more important than we usually realize when we see them as "just another name on the headline news." There is so much more to them than we can ever understand. Aren't these things the same thoughts that we feel toward ourselves? Haven't we each wished that we could be understood, valued, and recognized in our lives? Shouldn't we have these same feelings towards others, no matter what they have done?
Now don't get me wrong: I am not for one second saying that we should love them for their criminal acts or respect them for the deviant actions that they have committed. The things that they have done are inexcusable and should not be tolerated in any way by society. They will be known for what they have done for the rest of their lives.
But that is just my point.
Learning about these people, labeling them as "evil and worthless," and throwing them into the mental folder of "abnormal people" is a nearly automatic process that we do in our minds to avoid extra work and pain. We process these people as "different than me" in order to avoid the possible implication that you, yourself, could be capable or likely to do something like that criminal. This is where let our guard down much too far.
Now, i'm going to keep this as pleasant as possible, but this may feel a bit uncomfortable. Consider this for a moment. What if we didn't simply toss criminals or those murderers mentioned above into our minds in the "different than me" folder. What if we took the time to consider them as who they are as human beings? This may be uncomfortable just because this implies that we too might become someone like that if we choose to be. This is naturally undesirable and possibly painful, so we automatically throw them back into that folder. Next time this happens, i encourage you to resist. Instead, i would urge you to consider what you can do to avoid going down the same path as that person. Keep your guard up. Don't let it down. What can you and I do to continually better ourselves so that we will never make such tragic decisions or choose a path that will lead us to such pain and guilt. I submit to you that such moments can build character and fortify yourself in ways that you have possibly never considered before.
Remember this: inside each of us is an innate good, a desire to be happy and beneficial to those around us. Don't ever choose to stifle that good inside you. Inside each of us is a good heart, with infinite growth and potential.
Ending note: As you have read this article, I hope that you have been able to learn something new that could be beneficial to you. However, there are on occasion times when we learn something undesirable or hard to take in. Some things we read may make us feel uncomfortable. If you ever feel this way, please be sure to send me a message privately and let me know so that we can talk about those feelings. Sometimes our mind just has a hard time knowing how to process or feel about things that are uncomfortable to learn. Debriefing during these periods can help immensely.
It has been a while since i have posted on this blog. The process of planning the wedding reception, getting married, and settling into the new Kat flat has been time consuming! But highly recommended :)
But, i'm jumping right into a serious and yet pertinent topic: people are being driven to kill. For the past couple of months, checking the CNN app on my phone for the latest news has only revealed the same troubling headline: murders, killings, suicides all across the U.S. in isolated cases. If becoming a murderer was a disease, it would seem to be spreading more and more each day. Finding a "cure" to fight against this "disease" would naturally be the goal.
If only it were that simple.
How We React
Aurora, Colorado: Holmes, Empire State Building, NY: Johnson, Sikh Temple, Wisconsin: Page.
Each of these incidents involved a single man committing murder(s). I've included links to news articles covering each tragedy above. Whenever we hear news of people being killed, it naturally strikes an emotional response within most of us. We feel sadness, sympathy for the victims and their families, etc. How do we react towards the perpetrator, the murderer? It is usually the opposite response: we usually feel anger, hostility, and other strong feelings. I've always taken interest in the way people react to those who do "bad" things. Some react by focusing on justice: "I hope he gets what he deserves." Some focus more on a possible solution for society so that people like them don't murder again: "People like him need to be locked up in jail." Finally, others react by asking, "Why did he do this?"
Finding out the roots can lead us to much more effectively address the problem. We are not talking about a disease that is infecting people; we are talking about individuals each making the decision to kill. We are not talking about people who were born evil or chose to be an evil sociopath going about doing their work; each of these men were born of a mother, had their first birthdays as an infant, grew up learning their ABC's in Kindergarten. Each of these men had hobbies, talents, favorite foods, pets, and friends. Each of them had aspirations, goals, and wishes as a child, a teenager, and adult. They have shared laughs, joy, and meaningful moments with those close to them. Each of them were once an innocent human being who were trying what they could to have a good life. They were not just born evil or just became evil "just because." They used to be regular people, just like you and me. In fact, in many ways, they still are.
What Are We to Think?
One of the main purposes of this topic and actually of this blog is to open your mind up to the real world as it is. Each person on this Earth has his or her own whole life story. Each human being is more important than we usually realize when we see them as "just another name on the headline news." There is so much more to them than we can ever understand. Aren't these things the same thoughts that we feel toward ourselves? Haven't we each wished that we could be understood, valued, and recognized in our lives? Shouldn't we have these same feelings towards others, no matter what they have done?
Now don't get me wrong: I am not for one second saying that we should love them for their criminal acts or respect them for the deviant actions that they have committed. The things that they have done are inexcusable and should not be tolerated in any way by society. They will be known for what they have done for the rest of their lives.
But that is just my point.
Learning about these people, labeling them as "evil and worthless," and throwing them into the mental folder of "abnormal people" is a nearly automatic process that we do in our minds to avoid extra work and pain. We process these people as "different than me" in order to avoid the possible implication that you, yourself, could be capable or likely to do something like that criminal. This is where let our guard down much too far.
Now, i'm going to keep this as pleasant as possible, but this may feel a bit uncomfortable. Consider this for a moment. What if we didn't simply toss criminals or those murderers mentioned above into our minds in the "different than me" folder. What if we took the time to consider them as who they are as human beings? This may be uncomfortable just because this implies that we too might become someone like that if we choose to be. This is naturally undesirable and possibly painful, so we automatically throw them back into that folder. Next time this happens, i encourage you to resist. Instead, i would urge you to consider what you can do to avoid going down the same path as that person. Keep your guard up. Don't let it down. What can you and I do to continually better ourselves so that we will never make such tragic decisions or choose a path that will lead us to such pain and guilt. I submit to you that such moments can build character and fortify yourself in ways that you have possibly never considered before.
Remember this: inside each of us is an innate good, a desire to be happy and beneficial to those around us. Don't ever choose to stifle that good inside you. Inside each of us is a good heart, with infinite growth and potential.
Ending note: As you have read this article, I hope that you have been able to learn something new that could be beneficial to you. However, there are on occasion times when we learn something undesirable or hard to take in. Some things we read may make us feel uncomfortable. If you ever feel this way, please be sure to send me a message privately and let me know so that we can talk about those feelings. Sometimes our mind just has a hard time knowing how to process or feel about things that are uncomfortable to learn. Debriefing during these periods can help immensely.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Wife's New Blog!
My wife's new blog!!! :-)
Little Bites of Sunshine
The cutest blog written by the cutest person.
Please check it out!
http://littlebitesofsunshine.blogspot.com/2012/08/newly-married-provident-living.html
New posts coming soon!
-Chadsen
Little Bites of Sunshine
The cutest blog written by the cutest person.
Please check it out!
http://littlebitesofsunshine.blogspot.com/2012/08/newly-married-provident-living.html
New posts coming soon!
-Chadsen
Monday, March 5, 2012
Introduction and first thought!
Hello fellow Googler,
You have just stumbled into my first blog. Welcome! I assume that you are a friend or family of mine, so i'm pretty sure no introductions are needed. You know that i am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You probably also know that I am studying to be a psychology major. I have had life-changing experiences in both of these areas in my life, but most importantly as a member of the church. I believe that every single person on this Earth has had spiritual experiences and has an enormous potential that is yet to be realized, no matter what background he or she may come from. This life is a wonderful opportunity for myself and for all of us to share insights and knowledge, testimonies and support, so that we all may be strengthened together.
The title of this blog is called "Avoiding Anoesis."
What the hey is anoesis? I hope you get used to it, here is the first of many psychological terms that will be defined on this blog...
"anoesis noun \-ˈwē-səs\
consciousness that is pure passive receptiveness without understanding or intellectual organization of the materials presented."
http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anoesis
In other words, it is the state of mind that occurs when absolutely NO thinking is involved, a true "passive receptiveness." This is what happens when you listen to Baby by Justine Bieber, or read the lyrics of Friday by Rebecca Black. Yup...
The purpose of this blog is to AVOID this state! I really want to make you think! I want to keep myself thinking! It really doesn't matter how many people read this; I think it will be just as beneficial to me as to anyone! So don't feel bad if you don't follow up on every single blog I post, it is A OK!
So, welcome!! And enjoy! Please let me know how you feel about any of my posts! Also, don't hold back any criticisms. Not only am I open to them, but I enjoy philosophical discussion and debate as well! Comment away! Or not! It is up to you.
And as a closing thought on a good reason to avoid anoesis: our brain is made up of a dense collection of millions of neurons and their pathways. Each thought you have is the result of signals (action potentials) traveling through these neural pathways. Each signal that travels down the pathway "carves" an easier path for the next thought to come down through. The more you think of something, the more likely and easy it is for your mind to think of it again and use that same neural pathway. That is way some people can become "obsessed" with certain topics and cannot stop thinking about it. On the other hand, when you are not thinking about anything, these neural pathways because "less easy" to travel on, and become "old," making it less likely for your brain to send signals down that way again. In other words, when you don't think, your brain only gets lazier and lazier.... or stronger and stronger, with every thought you have. That's some food for thought (if it makes any sense)! :-)
You have just stumbled into my first blog. Welcome! I assume that you are a friend or family of mine, so i'm pretty sure no introductions are needed. You know that i am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You probably also know that I am studying to be a psychology major. I have had life-changing experiences in both of these areas in my life, but most importantly as a member of the church. I believe that every single person on this Earth has had spiritual experiences and has an enormous potential that is yet to be realized, no matter what background he or she may come from. This life is a wonderful opportunity for myself and for all of us to share insights and knowledge, testimonies and support, so that we all may be strengthened together.
The title of this blog is called "Avoiding Anoesis."
What the hey is anoesis? I hope you get used to it, here is the first of many psychological terms that will be defined on this blog...
"anoesis noun \-ˈwē-səs\
consciousness that is pure passive receptiveness without understanding or intellectual organization of the materials presented."
http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/anoesis
In other words, it is the state of mind that occurs when absolutely NO thinking is involved, a true "passive receptiveness." This is what happens when you listen to Baby by Justine Bieber, or read the lyrics of Friday by Rebecca Black. Yup...
The purpose of this blog is to AVOID this state! I really want to make you think! I want to keep myself thinking! It really doesn't matter how many people read this; I think it will be just as beneficial to me as to anyone! So don't feel bad if you don't follow up on every single blog I post, it is A OK!
So, welcome!! And enjoy! Please let me know how you feel about any of my posts! Also, don't hold back any criticisms. Not only am I open to them, but I enjoy philosophical discussion and debate as well! Comment away! Or not! It is up to you.
And as a closing thought on a good reason to avoid anoesis: our brain is made up of a dense collection of millions of neurons and their pathways. Each thought you have is the result of signals (action potentials) traveling through these neural pathways. Each signal that travels down the pathway "carves" an easier path for the next thought to come down through. The more you think of something, the more likely and easy it is for your mind to think of it again and use that same neural pathway. That is way some people can become "obsessed" with certain topics and cannot stop thinking about it. On the other hand, when you are not thinking about anything, these neural pathways because "less easy" to travel on, and become "old," making it less likely for your brain to send signals down that way again. In other words, when you don't think, your brain only gets lazier and lazier.... or stronger and stronger, with every thought you have. That's some food for thought (if it makes any sense)! :-)
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