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The Virtue Of Vice: The Path to Wisdom

We all have an inner monster within us. Integrating and understanding this shadow side is key to gaining strength of character and self-respect. Someone incapable of cruelty is naive and weak, vulnerable to manipulation by those willing to be cruel. Watching anti-heroes allows us to connect with our inner monster, ensuring we treat ourselves and demand others treat us with respect.  

This does not mean cruelty is good, but that having the capacity for cruelty while choosing not to be cruel is morally superior to lacking that capacity. Martial arts teach this: the goal is not to fight but be peaceful; however, competence in fighting decreases the need actually to fight. Strength deters others from attacking. Our inner monsters, properly understood, foster peace.

Jung considered integrating one’s shadow, the parts of oneself avoided, vital yet terrifying, as it reaches to the depths of human capacity for evil. Analyzing the shadow, however, allows comprehending atrocities and preventing their recurrence. Without acknowledging the shadow, we fail to understand something fundamental about human nature. We discover the Nazis, Stalinists, etc. were just like us. This truth traumatizes, hence avoidance; facing one’s shadow is the narrow gateway to enlightenment. 

The Arthurian knights seeking the Holy Grail entered the foreboding forests where each saw darkness, symbolic of the uncomfortable personal growth required to find meaning. We avoid developing areas provoking anxiety, thus our deficiencies lie where we dare not look. Heroes in myths likewise cross into the dangerous unknown to find treasure, representing the voluntary encounter with threats that stimulates self-mastery. Involuntary threats induce trauma. Vigilantly watching for emerging crises in life, taking preventative action, turns catastrophe into manageable challenge.

We live comfortably in our familiar spaces. Yet threats are growing unseen. We cannot ignore rising troubles forever. One way or another, we travel into the unknown darkness. It is better to enter intentionally prepared than stumble in accidentally unready.

Choosing to face swelling dangers activates us to meet them. Being overwhelmed against our will freezes and defeats us. Watching for growing threats in life we sense lets us fix small cracks before everything collapses. We can manage rising shadows if we pay attention. Ignoring problems until forced past limits causes chaos.

We have a choice - ask questions early when silence hints coming storms, or drown in a flood we refused to imagine. Catching on to swelling troubles may protect us from full destruction. Mindful attention buys a chance to steer around brewing storms.

To be fully human means preparing to face mortality. Parental death derails many unable to even conceive this loss. Failure to emotionally engage with this possibility leaves you devastated when it inevitably comes. The ambitious transcend paralysis in tragedy’s aftermath, rendering aid despite feeling shattered. We must nurture our inner monster to find meaning in misery. Do you wish to crumble, or stand stalwart? You decide.   

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