Repressed Child theory
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I started forming this theory around two years ago, well before learning that this is the Age of Horus.
My theory is that different societies throughout history have deemed certain attitudes, perceptions, ideals etc. as being "childish", in order to maintain a level of authoritative control . I recognize that childhood as we know it now is a relatively recent phenomena. Part of my theory is that in the past the lines between "child" and "adult" were not as clear. Children had to work, and men were still allowed to dream. And over time we have labeled things like "grey thinking" and using the imagination as childish, something one will grow out of. I see this as being a necessary part of the evolution of our species, we may very well never have gotten to the society which we enjoy now if we did not repress those tendencies. I believe our inner child is capable of being completely self involved, which to me explains the (most noticeable) nature our modern society. But I also believe that our "inner child" is capable of being completely selfless. Did this 'inner child' exist in any other terms prior to these tendencies being labeled as childish?
Has anyone else independently come to the conclusion that the "inner child" had been repressed?
I can really see how I have struggled through life with my "inner child" demanding to be recognized. Periods of self involvement countered with periods of extreme empathy. I am thankfully starting to settle somewhere in the middle. Thanks for letting me share. I am hoping this will spark some interesting conversation.
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Most tribal cutures have a ceremony for crossing the line from childhood to adulthood. I think the line between child and adult was made very clear.
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"My theory is that different societies throughout history have deemed certain attitudes, perceptions, ideals etc. as being "childish", in order to maintain a level of authoritative control ."
Interesting, my own personal theory is that one specific culture in history deemed certain attitudes (liberty), perceptions (life) and ideals (happiness) as being childish, and not in the collectives best interest to cultivate.
You may be interested for your theory to examine families, and the dynamics of families through out the ages, and in different cultures. All cultures have with in them, defined rites of passage that clearly let the child know that they are at a new level of life, that new responisiblities are asked of them, that new capablities are given to them, and that they are now a very important part of the community.
Seems thou, that the poor white europeans and thier decendants dropped the ball in preserving these rites for the current population.
"Part of my theory is that in the past the lines between "child" and "adult" were not as clear. Children had to work, and men were still allowed to dream"
Not to be too snarky,
But first of all...Men allowed to dream....
Children working.....
What were the ladies doing, needlepoint and tea?From what I have read and seen, the lines were very clear, and it is NOW that the lines are becoming grey,
I know of scads of young men still living at home with their momma, and she will still do their laundry!A pup will suckle on it mothers teet for as long as she lets it,
And you are right, we would never have had the fantastic civilizations we have enjoyed, if momma babied her little ones and didnt force them to grow up, a bit at least.I think that where we are as a race right now, we should be able to clearly define the positive traits of the feminine contribution and the positive traits of the masculine contribution so that the child of this union will be able to act as an empowered creative being.
So it will be more like the actualized being can tap into its creative, playful, childlike nature on a whim, or on command, as well as tap into its self mastery, control and focus, on a whim or on control.
love under will.
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Have you read any experts on the area? Great theory- HOWEVER, you have to give us soem references. In other words DO THE STUDY- STUDY THE EXPERTS- PEER REFERENCE YOUR THEORIES. Mankind has been writing for 10,000 years- so tap into it. Google it, join the library. Except others works- build upon what is already there. Add honey to the hive.(i'll shut up now)
I think the psychoanalist is obvious.
Make reading your friend- this magick is a serious affair.
Q
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MY theory really wouldnt have much place here on TOT. While I respect the members of this forum, the peers of this topic would not be IMO an internet forum dedicated to Thelema. Which is why I havent offered up my work here.
So, anyways, you started this thread to discuss YOUR theory, there for I would say that since I AM interested in this, and since it seems that our two theories have a common thread, What are your sources? Have you taken any classes in this field? Attended any lectures, what professional journals have you sited?
Your third sentence is obsure to me, are you being nasty or cheering me on?
Brother I am all tapped out, not only to I currently spend hours a week at the libraries ( acedemic and public) but I have RUN Libraries, of many sorts, in many departments. i am trained to help people find the information that they seek.
I also have a long history of working with children and their familes in the multicultural city that I live near. In this capacity I have worked with professionals in sociology, anthropolgy, psychology, philosophy, religion, as well as medical professional. Most all of my closest friends would be concidered experts in thier fields and all have helped me enormously with my pesonal research. I read five or six books at a time, all non fiction Brother.
"i think the psychoanalist is obvious"
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I dont get this, are you being nasty and impling That my response was crazy to you, that you have read it, got pisssy and spouted off a rebutal to me?Well crazy is as crazy does, and I have never had my sanity questioned.
So I tried to be helpful to what I saw as a good working theory, I gave you some suggestions on places you may want to look into to further your ideas.
I encourage you to post your sources and the finer details of your ideas, here if you think this community would be receptive and helpful, and any where else you may think people could benefit from your point of view.
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"Has anyone else independently come to the conclusion that the "inner child" had been repressed? "
In my work taking care of babies, toddlers, and children I actively cultivated creative outlets for the kids to explore and express themselves. Engaging in play, games, songs, dance, as well as arts and crafts, and everyones favorite, food.
When I had my own children, I continued this focus and gave my children more free time and creative outlets then all the other mothers I knew. I have a thing with kids you could say.
When it was time I sent my freedom loving children to public school, here in upstate NY. Within a very short time, I was able to discern a noticible change in my childs self esteem, creative endevours, health, energy level and most dramic attitude.
I know a lot of teachers, in all sorts of schools and I talked to them, and other parents, and the staff of the schools to see what they thought of my observations. I went to public school myself, and know of its drills, routine, control, and Knowledge based education first hand.
I tried for a few years to work with the schools, and teachers and parents to see if I could help implement changes that would bring about a healthier envionment for the communities children. i did, I volunteered in the classrooms and lunchrooms, the library, and many other aspects of the educational system. But my own two children were still transforming into people that I did not want them to become. They went from fun loving happy souls to phantoms filled with fear, so I took them out of school and I work with them myself.
in the three years that I have been homeschooling my children slowly came back from the dead shadows they were, and are now vibrant souls again.
if you are keen on reading some interesting books that deal with this repressed theory, you may like to check out Daniel Quinns Ishmael series. They are fiction, but the truth is often best told as a tale.
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I have really found very little in the way of professional research into this idea. Probably because I have been spending too much time learning about ceremonial magick. This was really more of an idea that came to me so it is more of a theory in an infantile manner.
I reckon what really inspired this was something my father said.
He believes that it is natural to think in more black and white terms as we mature. Which i also believe is true.
But through this "maturation", or the individuals socialization, the person becomes conditioned to view reality as being limited what they perceive it to be. The inner child has the ability to see the possibility of something existing beyond its comprehension, while the black/white minded adult's view of reality is condensed to what they "know".I see everything as having the potential to change. A piece of paper does not take much "convincing" to burst into flames and become something entirely different. Something like a rock takes a lot more "convincing" to get it to change its properties.
I think that part of the repression of this "inner child" is designed to keep us from recognizing the potential for change.
ahh well I do apologize this is not as scientific as it could be. This is a theory that I had an early rejection to but it has stuck around and keeps being fueled by intermittent insights.
But this is all really intriguing when I consider extra-somatic evolution, and how we shape children's brains through the culture by which they are socialized. And I do believe this is closely tied with the Age we find ourselves in.
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I love infants
One of the most fascinating things I have ever witnessed is the evolution of a child.
I remember the moment my son first saw his own hand, and recognized it as his hand. You could see by the look on his face that somethi g had clicked.
If we walk the same path over and over, We create a path.
After time, as we age many of us no longer have the option to walk a differnt path, but the well trod.Your brain is like that.
That is part of the concept of black and white, and why humans over time demand a certain amount of conformity, which to many is taken as repression.if everyone acted on a whim and creative expression, little progress would be made in the market.
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Veronica- I would not be nasty at all- last of all on this forum. Here are very intelligent, objective, rational people- i can tell you.
I was referring to the great Sigmund Freud. He is the 'repressed memories ' expert. But them Carl Jung is too.
I have had to deal with repressed memories. My kindergarten teacher bashed my up with a broom. My parent fighting. The drunken parties. We all have them and have to deal with them.
I have found the works of Brandon Bay most helpful.
I was in fact encouraging you to study and work.
Lastly, i want to hear your theories. This is not one of those 'other ' forums where the childish owners get insecure and angry. If we disagree, then we provide an intelligent, rational, reasoning why.
Q