Whenever a man tries to concentrate, something happens to get in his way: this fundamental law of the universe has been tested by me infinite times, and I have always verified its validity. I have analyzed it with more thoroughness than any scientist, and I say without hesitation: it is infallible and has no exceptions. Almost always, the universe sends the human voice as a disturbance, in its most diverse and detestable manifestations. That is why, to me, the greatest elevation of spirit in the history of mankind was that of the —anonymous!—guy who invented this marvel called the acoustic muffler, noise muffler, ear protector, or portable peace—this last name, of course, is how I named it myself. Designed to protect workers who are subjected to noise that can make them deaf, this magnificent invention symbolizes man spitting in his hand and nailing it to the face of the universe. It is the greatest human creation of all time! May this genius, this saint, this enlightened man that history has forgotten be blessed for all eternity!
Category: Notes
Frankl, Jung and Freud
Thank God I do not frequent psychology clinics, but I would bet that Frankl’s logotherapy outperforms Jung’s analytical psychology and Freud’s psychoanalysis together in the rate of cases of impressive behavioral change and therapeutic success. In logotherapy, I see a very clear exit door in case of good application; something I also see in Jung’s analytical psychology, but not in Freud’s psychoanalysis, which seems more like a palliative system that the patient can never get rid of—at least not in truly serious cases. It is true: there are cases and cases—perhaps, I base my conclusion on the infrequent ones. Psychoanalysis has molded itself to its patients, and for them it can be effective. Analytical psychology, which is broader and deeper, is also capable of treating them—although perhaps for some “psychological types” it is less enjoyable and, consequently, less satisfying. For many patients, routine venting is enough; but for the desperate, the expressly disillusioned who enters a consulting room in complete helplessness, carrying in his hands a mediocre and unsatisfactory life, which methodically inhibits his aspirations and delivers no meaning—for he, the suicidal candidate, sitting on a comfortable divan and moving his facial muscles is useless, and Frankl’s disciple seems to me the best prepared to deliver to him a definitive solution hardly achievable by other therapies.
The Common Man Places the Meaning of His Own Existence…
The common man places the meaning of his own existence mostly in relationships. Relationships are extremely fragile, and it is predictable that, for this reason, the common man falls into a very strong existential crisis. The religious man, however, the true religious man, who has nothing of common, finds something firmer to lean on. Whatever may be said, there is nothing like religion to give meaning to the human spirit, and this alone justifies the honorable role it plays in society.
The Contrast Between Buddhism and Christianity
The contrast between Buddhism and Christianity is really striking. The former can never, ever be mass-practiced, because it simply targets minority psychological types, to use Jungian terminology. Christianity would not be badly summarized as the rites of Christianity, whereas Buddhism consists in essence of a personal inner practice. If we talk about Christianity, we can talk about the Christian community; if we talk about Buddhism, we are talking about a relationship that the Buddhist has with himself. The good Christian guides his actions by the teachings of the Bible; the Buddhist, following in the footsteps of Buddha, has his conduct as a consequence of an inner philosophy. This says it all, and it is unnecessary to spend additional words…