I am changing and so is my writing. I have not written about a book for a long time. I questioned everything again. And yes, I have written poetry and people love it. Well, at least, some who read it tell me it touches them. That means a lot. But the answer of whether or not I will continue writing about books needs to come from me, from within, not from other people and their applause or criticism. And finally, this is answer is here: Yes, I will continue writing about books but in a different way. I will write more briefly. As my mind gains more clarity and thus becomes more quiet, my language becomes clearer as well. It takes less words to say more. And this means that my book reflections will be shorter and without screenshots of the pages anymore. But I hope, that does not take away the message. And: The questions at the end will remain. As many people pointed out to me already: „Silke, you and your questions…!“ In the past, this bothered me. Today, I love it. It is me. I will keep asking questions until the day when I close my eyes forever.
This book is the second one I read by Peck. I was a bit confused by the title first. But it is not as gloomy as one might think. Psychotherapists obviously encounter evil all the time. It is the natural consequence of mental disorder — either you hurt yourself (mentally or physically) or, in the worst-case scenario, you hurt others to an extent that exceeds the natural damage that social animals cause for others. And Peck honestly shares his struggles with the fine line between those patients who suffer and want to stop hurting themselves and others and those who do not really want to change, despite repeated claims. This is where the lies come in. In fact, truly evil people are all connected by the fact that they lie without changing anything They lie at others but by constantly doing so, they also lie at themselves. These are the people he really calls „evil“. And fortunately, even after decades of psycho-therapeutical practice, he says that the number of really evil patients was extraordinarily small. This book is a treat for people who love learning from Peck to not give up on the hope that healing is possible. As always, he provides so many stories from the large treasure box of his experience that one cannot help having hope that even the seemingly hopeless cases of mental struggle can be overcome — step by step…
My favorite quotes:
„Evil, then, for the moment, is that force, residing either inside or outside of human beings, that seeks to kill life or liveliness…. Thinking about it, I realized that one way or another, no matter what my topic, I am always trying in whatever way I can to help people take God, Christ, and themselves far more seriously than they generally do.“ (43)
„There are only two states of being: submission to God and goodness or the refusal to submit to anything beyond one‘s own will — which refusal automatically enslaves one to the forces of evil.“ (83)
„Instead, I believe that illness and disease should be defined as any defect in the structure of our bodies or our personalities that prevents us from fulfilling our potential as human beings.“ … And then talking about Maslow‘s description of the „self-actualized“ person: ´They have become truly human.’ By which we mean their lives seem almost to touch on the divine. … Briefly, they are wise and aware; they enjoy life with gust, yet face and accept death; they not only work productively but creatively, and they obviously love their fellow human beings, whom they lead with a benignity of both intent and result.“ (125)
„In The Road Less Traveled, I defined mental health as ‚an ongoing process of dedication to reality at all costs.´“ (207)
„The truly good are they who in time of stress do not desert their integrity, their maturity, their sensitivity.“ (222)
„JUDGMENT IN SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY … It is a major pitfall because we ascribe to science much more authority than it deserves.“ (257)
„The healing of evil — scientifically or otherwise — can be accomplished only by the love of individuals.“ (269)
Reflection Questions
1) How do you personally define „evil“? Who is the most evil person you have ever personally met?
2) What Peck says about surrendering to forces outside of oneself — do you share this? Which forces do you believe in that are beyond the bounds of your rational thinking and behavior?
3) Have you ever tried to counter bad/evil behavior with love?
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