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FEAR, REPRESSION & MENTAL CONSTIPATION
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.
I was indeed fortunate to grow up with two optimally nurturing parents and in a remarkably liberal Methodist Church. I was not aware of prejudices against other religions or even against homosexuality. Indeed, I do not remember even becoming aware that such prejudices existed until I went to college.
At college, the Dean of the Duke Chapel was a charismatic open and accepting person, but the much more diverse population awakened my awareness that many individuals live a life of fear, brought about from repressive dogma, often originating in the Church. The conflicts of the past 5000 years have most often been driven by hatred and intolerance of thoughts and behavior outside the rigid constraints of a given religion. Working with over 40,000 patients I have come to the conclusion that the greatest psychological problems are the result of:
- Unwillingness to forgive
- Intolerance of differences
- Inability to be mentally at peace.
In degree of seriousness, it is pretty much in that order. While I never condone any mistreatment or abuse, it is often not possible to achieve personal “justice” or compensation for a past injury; and holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting it to kill the other person. Forgiving the bastards of the past is essential for health. Intolerance of other behavior that is not harming you or even others is equally damaging.
Frankly, what others do or believe is none of my business as long as those differences do not harm. Sometimes I feel pity for those who are so angry and agitated that my beliefs or someone else’s are contrary to theirs. They often invoke God’s condemnation, as if they know what God believes!
Despite numerous positive responses about my two articles on masturbation and sex sells, two different individuals were angrily condemning. I regret upsetting their narrower views of “acceptability” but I cannot apologize or spend time blaming myself for being honest. I also realize that they undoubtedly live in seriously binding mental corsets.
Murder, rape, physical or psychological abuse, and robbery are serious misuse of personal power. Most other behaviors are not worthy of wasting energy on condemnation.
Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is the father of holistic medicine. He recommends autogenic focus (the basis of the Biogenics System) as part of your overall commitment to self-health. Register to download your FREE autogenic focus MP3 now.