Hi Folks,

 

  I recently started doing UTOK Philosophical Consulting/Coaching, and I am in the process of more systematically developing the UTOK philosophy of living. The basic orientation is awareness, acceptance, and active change toward valued states of being. In terms of preventing neurotic traps, a key aspect of the system is helping people avoid triple negative neurotic loops. This is the process by which negative situations (NS) elicit negative feelings (NF) which in turn elicit negative reactions (NR). The first two negatives refer to the valence. The situation sucks and the negative feelings are the pain that corresponds to the shitty situation. The third negative carries a different meaning. Here by negative I mean “maladaptive.” A negative reaction to a NS-NF refers to the process by which one attempts to avoid or control or blame self or others with the intent for the NS or NF to stop. We can liken this final move to the process of bringing water to a grease fire. It makes sense at one level, but it makes things worse rather than better.

 

  I bring this up because there is much overlap between UTOK’s frame and this article by Mark Manson (author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope). That is, he clearly sees the loop and is trying to help people stop the NRS.

 

  The UTOK philosophy is about adaptive living and maximizing valued states, with the overarching value being characterized by cultivating wisdom energy and being that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity. The negative reactions to NS-NF are identified and the task is to bring a CALM-MO attitude to the NRs. Put simply, where there were NRs, now shine the CALM-MO flashlight.

 

Best,
Gregg

 

___________________________________________

Gregg Henriques, Ph.D.

President of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (2022)
Professor, Department of Graduate Psychology
216 Johnston Hall; MSC 7401
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-7857 (phone)

Cultivate wisdom energy.

 

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