Recent actions perpetrated by the present administration brought this biblical quotation to mind: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Trump’s efforts to take over Venezuela. Enabling and justifying the murder of Renee Nicole Good. His desire to own Greenland. Removing leaders from ethics, oversight and accountability offices. Personalizing the justice system. Mass pardoning of criminals. Emasculating Congress. Intention to punish Iran for doing what he is doing to U.S. citizens but on a smaller scale.
The quotation came to mind because of its falsity regarding the president and his henchmen, and possibly its falsity universally. This person who is striving to “gain the whole world” is not losing his soul. He experienced soul murder (Shengold; Schatzman) or something intimately close to it in his childhood. It was already lost. That was the vacuum that enabled the switch to a material ego. I picture this president on his deathbed counting his buildings and his millions, counting the people he has made his subjects, counting the countries and allies he has commandeered, threatened, cowed and alienated. Hate will remain but he'll be tired and there will be no more fake smiles for henchmen or family. On his deathbed can he, could anyone, feel good and at peace to be made only of objects, only of many physical objects? That’s all his world is, he has shrunk it by trashing everyone’s heart so there’s only room on his planet for buildings and skeletons and dollars not yet spent.
Do these last days or minutes count? Could they be the most important days and minutes in his life?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome, but I'd suggest you first read "Feeling-centered therapy" and "Ocean and boat" for a basic introduction to my kind of theory and therapy.