I think there is an interesting space for discussion around this. Understanding that humans exist within a dichotomy of the emotional and abstract — and how time spent in the abstract comes at an emotional cost — is relevant.
Mental distress is often worsened by ruminating — on the past and potential future — which are both in the abstract; self-harm enables people who are suffering from mental distress to come back to their body/to feel some sort of connection to themselves. I have discussed this with a few people who have done a fair bit of self-harm, and it seems like it aligns. That, to some extent, aspects of mental distress are caused by a spiral away from 'the emotional' and into 'the abstract', where we can lose ourselves and find it hard to return.
If you are climbing — or other similar sports, I imagine — being in the abstract is difficult, as you are way too focused on the present, the reality you are up against, and your own fear/pain/effort that you are facing.
Yeah, I imagine there are a lot of physical pursuits that would qualify, not only climbing.
At this point I'm kind of interested in the precise mechanism of it as well — I did want to point out also that it's not just 'flow,' or 'being present,' or being connected to the physical; it's also having that all be measured in a very black and white way.
Possibly two things there. Measurable is perhaps more related to pushback against ego and a subconscious preference for subjectivity to protect it, whereas an inescapable connection to the physical perhaps has more therapeutic benefits?
Possibly two things there. Measurable is perhaps more related to pushback against ego and a subconscious preference for subjectivity to protect it, whereas an inescapable connection to the physical perhaps has more therapeutic benefits?
Your passion for climbing is inspiring and I love how you connect climbing lesson/insights to life itself (accepting what is, facing challenges etc).
I think there is an interesting space for discussion around this. Understanding that humans exist within a dichotomy of the emotional and abstract — and how time spent in the abstract comes at an emotional cost — is relevant.
Mental distress is often worsened by ruminating — on the past and potential future — which are both in the abstract; self-harm enables people who are suffering from mental distress to come back to their body/to feel some sort of connection to themselves. I have discussed this with a few people who have done a fair bit of self-harm, and it seems like it aligns. That, to some extent, aspects of mental distress are caused by a spiral away from 'the emotional' and into 'the abstract', where we can lose ourselves and find it hard to return.
If you are climbing — or other similar sports, I imagine — being in the abstract is difficult, as you are way too focused on the present, the reality you are up against, and your own fear/pain/effort that you are facing.
Yeah, I imagine there are a lot of physical pursuits that would qualify, not only climbing.
At this point I'm kind of interested in the precise mechanism of it as well — I did want to point out also that it's not just 'flow,' or 'being present,' or being connected to the physical; it's also having that all be measured in a very black and white way.
Possibly two things there. Measurable is perhaps more related to pushback against ego and a subconscious preference for subjectivity to protect it, whereas an inescapable connection to the physical perhaps has more therapeutic benefits?
Possibly two things there. Measurable is perhaps more related to pushback against ego and a subconscious preference for subjectivity to protect it, whereas an inescapable connection to the physical perhaps has more therapeutic benefits?