How do we characterize persistent negative states such as depression or paranoia in the Gnostic work? I have been noticing that there seems to be some discrepancy between more fleeting, transient states and those states that remain fixated in the psyche.
As an example, I have become increasingly more depressed and paranoid over the past few months. I can sense this as a very strong filter that alters everything I perceive. Yet at the same time, this filter can be applied while another filter (ego) such as gluttony manifests. However, the difference is that those thoughts or instincts of gluttony might last a few minutes, yet there is still that depression, paranoia, etc. that will seem to last weeks to months. I am forced to do my practices, my meditations in these states yet cannot seem to shake them off in the least.
What is actually happening here? Are those persistent negative states the effects of the damage of other egos to my three brains or the five centers?
I was able to discover that the cause of my most recent troubles was not balancing my centers or the three factors in the path. I was working myself too much physically and emotionally and ignoring my worldly duties causing myself a great deal of unnecessary suffering. I changed that and those negative states that lasted so many months just started to dissipate within a few days.
Thank you for any clarification about this!
As an example, I have become increasingly more depressed and paranoid over the past few months. I can sense this as a very strong filter that alters everything I perceive. Yet at the same time, this filter can be applied while another filter (ego) such as gluttony manifests. However, the difference is that those thoughts or instincts of gluttony might last a few minutes, yet there is still that depression, paranoia, etc. that will seem to last weeks to months. I am forced to do my practices, my meditations in these states yet cannot seem to shake them off in the least.
What is actually happening here? Are those persistent negative states the effects of the damage of other egos to my three brains or the five centers?
I was able to discover that the cause of my most recent troubles was not balancing my centers or the three factors in the path. I was working myself too much physically and emotionally and ignoring my worldly duties causing myself a great deal of unnecessary suffering. I changed that and those negative states that lasted so many months just started to dissipate within a few days.
Thank you for any clarification about this!
Accepted Answer
I think I have found my answer. Matthew Thomas gave some excellent advice relevant to most any problem.
Simply put, I am not being honest with myself. I am letting conflicts into my life and not realizing I'm the one who put them there. The "fixation" I was referring to is an aspect of my ignorance, a result of ignoring the truth of the conflict that is responsible, so the problem continues to grow even if the answer is obvious. When you recognize that fact, the possibility for change becomes very real.
Brothers and sisters, your questions often provide me with answers to my own problems so with much gratitude, thank you!
I feel a great connectedness and sense of happiness for everyone here.
Simply put, I am not being honest with myself. I am letting conflicts into my life and not realizing I'm the one who put them there. The "fixation" I was referring to is an aspect of my ignorance, a result of ignoring the truth of the conflict that is responsible, so the problem continues to grow even if the answer is obvious. When you recognize that fact, the possibility for change becomes very real.
Brothers and sisters, your questions often provide me with answers to my own problems so with much gratitude, thank you!
I feel a great connectedness and sense of happiness for everyone here.
Accepted Answer
I think I have found my answer. Matthew Thomas gave some excellent advice relevant to most any problem.
Simply put, I am not being honest with myself. I am letting conflicts into my life and not realizing I'm the one who put them there. The "fixation" I was referring to is an aspect of my ignorance, a result of ignoring the truth of the conflict that is responsible, so the problem continues to grow even if the answer is obvious. When you recognize that fact, the possibility for change becomes very real.
Brothers and sisters, your questions often provide me with answers to my own problems so with much gratitude, thank you! I feel a great connectedness and sense of happiness for everyone here.
Simply put, I am not being honest with myself. I am letting conflicts into my life and not realizing I'm the one who put them there. The "fixation" I was referring to is an aspect of my ignorance, a result of ignoring the truth of the conflict that is responsible, so the problem continues to grow even if the answer is obvious. When you recognize that fact, the possibility for change becomes very real.
Brothers and sisters, your questions often provide me with answers to my own problems so with much gratitude, thank you!
I feel a great connectedness and sense of happiness for everyone here. There are no replies made for this post yet.