Existential Review Part 11 INDIVIDUALITY by Sasha Lessin, Ph.D.,
sashalessinphd@... 808 244-4103

[Based on Koestenbaum, P., The New Image of the Person: The Theory
and Practice of Clinical Psychology, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1978.]

Now that you've familiarized yourself with the ideals in earlier
lessons, continue the exploration of the existential model of being starting
with the next ideal:

REALIZE YOUR UNIQUE, CREATIVE INDIVIDUALITY (Ideal 9)

Before you can broaden your self-definition (consciousness),
you need to be aware when you are choosing a narrower self-
definition. When you recognize your previously unconscious, passive
choice of a narrower self-identity, you're recognizing your
individuality, or narrower self. You then dialogue with what you
exclude from your self-definition. This dialogue begins when you
deliberately experience yourself in your narrower self-definition
(examples: public role, isolated bodymind). From this perspective,
objectify and tell it or them (repressed subpersonalities, your mate
and your peer group, in our examples) "No, I am not you. I'm not
bound by your ideas of who I am and how I should be." You then
become the non-self your narrow self is rejecting, realizing that the
non-self-other is actually a disowned part of your consciousness.
Your realization expands your self-definition (as integrated
personality, intersubjective dyadic couple consciousness, support
group) to include both your old, narrower self-definition and what
you excluded. You can, at any time, reinstate your narrower self-
aspect by deliberate choice among your broadened alternatives. By
deliberately choosing to experience your narrower self-
identifications, you experience their richness and creativity as well
as the harmony they achieve in higher order unison.

Be able, when you choose, to function as an individual
bodymind, a distinct, uniquely contributing facet of the social
groups and networks of which you are a part. "It is right and normal
for me to seem different from other human beings. I am free to
conform or not to conform as my value system dictates. I am not
excessively bothered by the fact that I may be different from my
peers. I am prepared to create my own direction right for me even
though it might differ from the prevailing lifestyles of those around
me. I am not easily pressured" to conform when my value system tells
me not to.

RELATE PERSONALLY TO THE INDIVIDUALITY IDEAL

* I asserted my individuality, despite pressure from others,
when I ... (complete).

* A person I admire for unique individuality is ...

* The person above showed individuality by... (complete).

* Today, I'll increase my individuality and assert my own
direction by ...
***

Review: THE EXISTENTIAL PRINCIPLES (See each on this site):

Realize the reciprocal INTERPLAY between you and what you
experience; learn of field theory, intentionality.

Experience yourself at several LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

Acknowledge that you are responsible; CHOOSE your attitudes
and reactions.

Consciously experience your ever-developing sense of yourself
as an individual and as humanity (phenomenologically SELF-DISCLOSE.)

Value PAIN and ANXIETY as opportunities to learn.

Use limits to make your life meaningful; reflect upon
NEGATION, FINITUDE and DEATH.

Live and reflect using phenomenological bracketing (EPOCHE)

Be INDEPENDENT, SELF-RELIANT and SUBJECTIVE (to balance out
love and commitment.)

Realize your own unique, creative INDIVIDUALITY.

Experience TRANSCENDENTAL SUBJECTIVITY; revere this core self
of each and all consciousness.

Realize you are free to CHOOSE your own values and self-
concepts

Accept GUILT for your choices as signals to do better.

Say YES to life. COMMIT yourself. Be REALISTIC.

LOVE and encounter others. Be FLEXIBLE and adaptable

Experience time living now, using the past, focused on your
future.

GROW; expand and transcend your self-definition.

Use contradictions, polarities, paradoxes and ambiguities as
opportunities to establish dialogues and DIALECTICS leading to
further growth.

sashalessinphd@...