Mental States 1: Inner Experiences

Self in Interaction

Our self is what has feelings. During our interactions we automatically activate experiential flows: feelings, emotions, ideas, intuitions &c. Each of us must manage these dynamic mental states.

Each approach (= mentality) can be naturally associated with a particular type of feeling (= Level in the THEE Framework of Experience: PH4).

We all experience our self as having a boundary. What is «within the boundary» feels or is treated as if it were me. What is «without the boundary» feels or is treated as if it is not me The «not me» is usually someone else, but it may be an object, a relationship, an institution or a place. . The two sets of approaches differ sharply as to the nature of these boundaries.

Well-being Set

■ External diffuse self-boundaries

Moving up the diagonal, the mentalities prefer, support and foster increasingly intangible forms of experience.

• Kinship-centred individuals value emotions, and emotionality typifies their interactions. Manifestations include tearfulness, joyful expressions, tempers, outbursts and moods.

Self-Boundary is determined by the ever-expanding family, some of whom may not be known or have never been met: so it is external and diffuse. This is the source of intense pain at separations and the subordination of member individuality to family needs.

• Power-centred individuals value sensations, and sensuality is prominent in their make-up. Manifestations include extravagant tastes, love of luxury, unbridled sexuality and desire for constant stimulation.

Self-Boundary is determined by the source of sensation, which makes it external and diffuse. The result is a strong desire to possess and control the stimulating source—person, artefact, view, painting.

• Community-centred individuals value intuition and use it to develop mutuality in their interactions. Manifestations include a search for self-awareness, attempts to empathize and understand others, expectations of reciprocity, acceptance of guilt, and inhibition of their own demands.

Self-Boundary is determined by the communal group whose membership may fluctuate, making it external and diffuse. Empathy for others in the group flows from this extension of self.

• Reality-centred individuals value imagination, and spirituality is intrinsic to their way of life. Manifestations include seeking the growth of consciousness, acceptance of the presence of mystery and cosmic forces, and taking a systemic and identity-based perspective on situations.

Self-Boundary is determined ultimately by the cosmos, making it external and diffuse. Because the universe is a manifestation of the self, relevant personal meaning can be seen in any stimulus or happening

Productivity Set

■ Internal distinct self-boundaries

Moving up the diagonal, the mentalities prefer, support and foster increasingly complex forms of experience.

• Market-centred individuals value image because images are used to specify and communicate desired outcomes. Manifestationsinclude vitality, energetic work, enthusiasm, being fiercely competitive, a love of sports, and delight in displaying the trappings of success.

Self-Boundary is defined by the physical body, which means that it is internal and distinct.

• Cause-centred individuals value ideas, essential to articulate and disseminate a discipline or dogma. These are held firmly rather than adopted by imitation, on instruction, or following fashion. Manifestations include learning and arguing about: beliefs, commitments, ideals, inner convictions, plans and rules.

Self-Boundary is determined by the mind, with an emphasis on individuality, so internal and distinct.

• Perspective-centred individuals value identification because this is the form within which new ideas and value-sets are revealed. Manifestations include socially identifying with an assigned or adopted role, and relating in terms of social role; identification with others leading to advocacy of peaceful coexistence; or identifying with all parties in a dispute, fostering impartial examination of evidence.

Self-Boundary is the «embodied mind» which is now focused sharply on the particular social role within a social context, so it stays internal and distinct.

Another Framework in THEE

This webpage links the present framework to the Framework of Experience, which deals with inner elements of personal experience and paths of identity development. The comparison was examined briefly earlier in this section.

A partial account can be found in Ch. 7: Working with Values: Software of the Mind (1995) which may be downloaded here.

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• Check commitment to action.
• Check social bonds.

Originally posted: July 2009