Week 11 Reading
Read Anatomy of the Soul, P. 205-255
Apparently the rationale provided by her reptilian friend is enough to help Eve cope with her emotional distress of shame. “That's not surprising, since shame exploits our left brain's capacity for analysis, As a means of quickly diminishing the feeling of shame, we often rush to explain why we feel what we feel. This venture into left-mode thinking distracts us if even only slightly-from the intensity of the sensation of shame itself. This distraction is enough to keep us from wading into the shame in the presence of a safe, flexible, capable, and empowered relationship, the only way for the shame to be truly healed and explained reasonably.” (Page 214) What do you think about this quote from Thompson? What do you feel about it? Have you recognized this in your own life?
Later on that same page Thompson says, “This is critical for us to remember: God does not find our emotional states offensive; what he does abhore is our propensity to ignore them and likewise eject him from our minds' landscapes. When we do so, we unwittingly face death the subhuman, withering, devolving existence of comprehensive isolation of our mind(s), within themselves and apart from God and others.” (Page 214) What do you think about this quote from Thompson? Do you agree that ignoring our emotions means that we can unknowingly eject God from our mind?
What have your thoughts and feelings on confession been in the past? Have they shifted at all while reading this book?
In chapter 13 starting on page 235, Thompson speaks of complex systems, the human desire for intimacy (connection) as well as independence (autonomy) and how we can live in healthy community. What stood out to you about this? What do you think it takes to have this type of healthy community?
Is there anything else you want to share?