Understanding Projection: Taking Responsibility for Your Reality
If you attend a new age church, such as centers for spiritual living, or gravitate to new age spirituality, you probably have heard the concepts of "you create your reality and the law of attraction." These ideas emphasize the power of your thoughts and emotions in shaping the experiences you have in life. However, there is another concept that is often overlooked in these discussions - the concept of projection.
Projection is the tendency to see oneself as a victim, believing that mostly terrible things happen to us and occasionally good things happen by chance. This mindset can be disempowering and limit our ability to take control of our lives. It's important to understand that projection is not the truth.
The truth is that if what one does not want to experience can happen to one, there is no justice in this world. And if there is no justice in this world, there is no God, for God can only exist if there is justice in this world (as it is in heaven).
What is Projection?
Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where we attribute our own thoughts, feelings, and characteristics onto others. It is a way of avoiding responsibility for our own actions and emotions by projecting them onto someone or something else.
When it comes to our experiences in life, projection can manifest as seeing ourselves as victims. We believe that external circumstances or other people are responsible for the negative events that occur in our lives. This mindset can leave us feeling powerless and trapped in a cycle of negativity.
Taking Responsibility for Your Reality
Understanding projection is the first step towards taking responsibility for your reality. By acknowledging that you have the power to create your experiences, you can begin to shift your mindset and take control of your life.
Here are some practical steps you can take to break free from the cycle of projection:
1. Self-Reflection
Take the time to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Are there any patterns or recurring themes that you notice? Are there areas of your life where you feel stuck or victimized? By becoming aware of these patterns, you can start to identify areas where you may be projecting your own fears and insecurities onto others.
2. Own Your Emotions
Instead of blaming others for how you feel, take ownership of your emotions. Recognize that your feelings are a result of your own perceptions and interpretations. By taking responsibility for your emotions, you can begin to shift your focus from external circumstances to your internal state.
3. Practice Gratitude
Cultivate a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for the positive aspects of your life. By focusing on what you are grateful for, you can shift your energy towards attracting more positive experiences. This doesn't mean ignoring or denying the challenges you may be facing, but rather choosing to see the silver linings and lessons within them.
4. Set Intentions
Set clear intentions for what you want to create in your life. Visualize your desired outcomes and take inspired action towards them. By aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions with your intentions, you can start to manifest the reality you desire.
5. Seek Support
Don't be afraid to seek support from others who can help you on your journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Whether it's through therapy, coaching, or joining a supportive community, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can provide guidance and encouragement.
The Power of Projection
By understanding projection and taking responsibility for our own reality, we can tap into the power within us to create positive change. When we let go of the victim mindset and embrace our ability to shape our experiences, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities.
Remember, you are not a passive bystander in your own life. You have the power to create the reality you desire. Embrace this power, let go of projection, and step into a life of empowerment and abundance.
After UCLA College of Letters where I obtained PhD is Philosophy, Psychology and Religion I got a teaching job at the University. I felt uneasy teaching. I applied for a job in the mental health field; I got many offers and within two years was running the mental health center where I worked, supervising psychologists and psychiatrists who have been in that field for many decades.
Eventually, I felt bored by the job (of been executive director...I was barely thirty two years old when I was the executive director of the largest mental health agency in the city where I lived) and quit and tried doing other things.
Nothing I tried worked out for me. So, I did other executive director jobs but eventually wound up quitting and returning to college teaching until I felt that teaching is too easy for me; I felt unchallenged being a college professor (I filled my time writing on assorted subjects that interested me).
Eventually, I realized that I have a destiny and fate. My normal routine is to read until I go to sleep (although there is a huge TV in the house, I seldom watch it) and get up around 5 AM, think for a while, and then go to my computer and type the thoughts that I just had in my sleep.