Stabilizer or Stressor?

Common Misconception

Whenever a Typology is presented, there is a tendency to say to yourself "I use all those Types". This is rarely the case, except perhaps if you are indifferent to the benefits of that particular Typology.

The misconception arises because all Types here as elsewhere, contain elements that are universally relevant and even essential for everyone. For example, everyone gets or should get exercise (Vital-L'2), everyone has or needs a meaningful relationship (Relational-L'5), everyone has at least some acquaintances (Sensory-L'1), and so on.

In short: we must all use essential aspects of each stabilizing method. Essences of the PH'4-methods will be identified for the Spiral of Growth (PH'4C) and the Spiral-derived Tree (PH'4CK).
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The Spiral will reveal a path of personal strengthening and maturation, and people vary as to how far they proceed along it. However, the Tree specifies the determinants in realizing a Primal Need, in this case individuality, at any stage of personal maturity. So those Type-derived Centres must be available to all.

Types are methods possess conflicting assumptions and often make heavy or complex demands. So, if a particular Typology really matters, we find ourselves gravitating towards one or two of its methods. Over time, we become highly committed, expert and knowledgeable. It is then tempting and common to deny their limitations and make ego-boosting attacks on alternative Types or their adherents.

In this particular Typology-PH'4, it is perhaps more evident that one person's stabilizer is another's stressor. This is explained further below.

Using the Method

The methods of mental stabilization are identity-forming, just as applies with other taxonomic Types. The difference here is that this identity is one that is pervasive and existential (i.e. you cannot do without it).

Whatever your situation, whatever your wishes, whatever the demands of the moment, whatever the endeavours, you always want to feel grounded and properly yourself. That feeling, made most noticeable by its absence, comes from the effectiveness of your preferred PH'4-methods.

Adequate stabilization in regard to this personal identity has three elements:

• feeling good or right in yourself (versus fragile, overwhelmed, 'not myself')
• feeling whole (integrated, unified)
• feeling grounded (i.e. continuity of expected self-feeling)

Warning signs of destabilization, the sense of inner stress, can be pushed away for a while. But the healthy response is to rapidly activate your preferred methods and heed their demands. If circumstances are not too adverse and you are not wilfully obstinate, your chosen methods will not let you down.

Note: Your existential method does not in itself resolve any serious life challenges. It simply puts you in the best possible shape to address those challenges.

We are each so strongly identified with the method that effectively stabilizes us that it can be difficult to appreciate that others are constituted differently. Many of the marked differences among people come down to what is stabilizing and what is stressful. One person's stabilizer is another person's stressor.

Examples

• If your preferred method is Sensory-L'1, then you are relieved by interacting with members of your circle to relieve stresses. If you are not into Sensory existence, you may well have your circle or network, but activating these will not help you in a time of stress. Instead, you are more likely to avoid contact, or find that devoting time to servicing the network is superficial, pointless and burdensome.
• If your preferred method is Vital-L'2, then you will be exhilarated and refreshed by your regular run. If you are not into Vital existence, you may well recognize the significance of exercise for your health, which is why you do it. However, you do not feel better able to deal with life because of the exertion. Like flossing, it is merely another routine self-care task completed.

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• Review dualities in this Typology.

  OR

• Continue to the TET analysis.

Originally posted: 9-Oct-2014. Last updated: 12-Dec-2014.

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All posted material is part of a scientific project and should be regarded as provisional. Visitors are encouraged to think through the topics and propositions for themselves. Copyright © Warren Kinston 2009-2016.
All Rights Reserved.

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