What I have done, and am doing, is to take the Emotional-Psychological needs that they were exploiting in me for profit, and find [i:83bb822a17]other ways to fulfill them[/i:83bb822a17].
In my view, we can still grow Intellectually, and still have Emotional development, works towards "success" as we define it, etc.
In REBT, Ellis said, "get more of what you want, and less of what you don't want".
Personally, I use CBT to deal with my emotional issues, and i have found it works great for me, usually, but not all of the time. And that's fine. No need for Emotional Perfectionism, which is a sick con-job.
So I think we can still be involved with "personal development" and personal growth, and even Self-Actualization perhaps, but just do it in a way that is more healthy, and not linked with an LGAT cult, or Guru who is messing with our minds?
For me, CBT and REBT, when linked with the Philosophy and theory behind it, which is then linked to REAL philosophy, and philosophy of science, as well as Aesthetics and Creativity, provides enormous opportunity for excitement and growth.
I can still study "Emotional Intelligence", and I can still use the many dozens of powerful techniques in CBT, to manage my Thoughts, Emotions, Behaviors, and even transform some of my Core Beliefs.
So i could be wrong here, but I am fulfilling those impulses in other, more healthy ways, that are not part of a LGAT cult.
I can even continue to study Robbins, to learn more about these techniques, and Sales techniques, so i can defend myself in that world out there. :wink:
Anyway, that is sorta where i am right now.
Maybe I am wrong, and should just be more involved in self-acceptance, instead of the self-hating which can be behind "personal development".
But USA, Unconditional Self Acceptance is one of the pillars of REBT, so even that is included.
Maybe i am like a smoker, who has replaced smoking with chewing gum, i don't know. But replacing smoking with jogging might be obsessive, but its still better than smoking.
to be continued....
Coz
Quote
Aurora
Although I am comfortable with my own identity- I can't help but continue to long for that emotional "transformation" too. I didn't see it as an emotional addiction before....but maybe it is.