Lecture on Impulse Control and the "Black Sun" Tool

Introduction

• Story of Marty and Susan: A couple seeking psychotherapy due to issues with their teenage daughter, Ashley.
  • Marty has a temper and a gambling problem.
  • Susan has eating issues and compulsively confides in her daughter.
  • Ashley has issues with spending, lying, and stealing.
• Central Idea: Everyone has issues with uncontrollable impulses.
  • Examples include updating Facebook often, checking political news, or overreacting.

Exercise: Identifying Impulses

• Activity: Close your eyes and identify an impulse you struggle with.
  • Examples: Eating sweets, texting while driving, etc.
• Sharing Session: Audience shares their impulses and the consequences.
  • Discuss the detrimental impacts and the feeling of losing control.

The Problem with Impulses

• Immediate vs. Long-term Effects: Impulses may seem harmless but have serious long-term impacts.
  • Examples: Eating sweets, getting drunk, indulging in social media.
• Pattern of Self-Indulgence: A series of small indulgences can erode future aspirations.
  • Self-indulgence prevents self-actualization.
  • Focusing on temporary pleasures diverts from long-term goals.

The Root Cause of Impulses

• Inner Emptiness: Feeling incomplete or not enough inside drives impulse behavior.
  • Examples: Need for validation, friends, money, etc.
• Childhood Example: Children fall apart when denied what they want, similar to adult impulses.

Tool for Impulse Control: The Black Sun

• Exercise: Dealing with intense impulse without giving in.
  • Step 1: Identify the impulse.
  • Step 2: Imagine you cannot have what you want; focus on inner emptiness.
  • Step 3: Envision a "Black Sun" filling you with energy from within.

Benefits of the Tool

• Freedom: More self-control leads to inner freedom.
  • Nietzsche's concept of "ubermensch": Mastering lower parts of oneself.
• Confidence: Maintaining self-commitments builds self-credibility.
  • Quotes from Da Vinci and Lao Tzu on self-mastery.
• Leadership: Self-control enhances influence on others and environmental impact.
  • Micro Example: Marty and Susan's improved parenting.
  • Macro Example: Civil Rights Movement's disciplined approach.

Societal Implications

• Culture of Self-Indulgence: Prevalence of impulsive behavior in various societal sectors.
  • Examples: Banking, government, entertainment, etc.
• Need for Grassroots Change: Individual efforts can collectively impact society.
  • References to Carl Jung's collective unconscious and Margaret Mead’s views on societal change.

Final Exercise: Collective Black Sun

• Visualization: Group exercise to visualize shared energy and impact.
  • Imagine personal and collective Black Sun energy affecting society.

Conclusion

• Key Takeaways: By controlling impulses, individuals can achieve greater freedom, confidence, and leadership capabilities.
• Positive Impact: Individual self-restraint leads to broader societal improvements.

[Music] [Applause]