How to Be Stronger

esoteric philosophy provides a vital hint

Many of us—certainly me—wish to be stronger as people.

But what does it really mean?

The words “stronger” or “strength” may echo in our psyches—an amalgam of thought and emotion—like cries in an empty hall, each time resounding with less and less amplitude and meaning.

A vainly repeated term or concept becomes impotence itself.

We know what we wish—but not where or how to find it.

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We exist in parts: thought, body, and emotion. Each center runs on disparate tracks. They cannot communicate. You see this, for example, when someone issues the absurd dictum, “calm down.” Who should calm down? The mind telling the body to “calm down” is futility itself. The emotions telling the body, “eat less”—the pull is maybe stronger, but rarely quite enough.

Emotion and body are faster and more powerful than intellect. Understanding this can release you from agony. When someone diminishes you, often through a stealth remark or backhanded compliment, if not a direct assault, you often think of the perfect rejoinder minutes later; you run it through your head with why-didn’t-I-say? futility.

Stop. It is not your fault. The emotions—which invariably react first to threat—are faster and stronger than intellect. Emotions do not have an intelligent or, in effect, constructive response. It is not their job. Emotions overcome thought—every time.

Do not confuse what I say with ethics. Ethics arise from emotions but express through intellect, or empathy. Violent emotions—resulting from threat—merely say: “I am hurt”—in a cycle that repeats. Talk of non-identification is the equivalent of “calm down.” It is fantasy. We are in pieces.