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Lesson 23 Cathartic Probe and Exercises

Whenever a content of the consciousness such as an image, a memory, or an idea acquires such intensity or “change” that it stands out markedly with respect to other contents, it tends to discharge this energy by sending impulses to the corresponding centers of response. The centers then mobilize bodily activities towards the external world. Strictly speaking, each activity of a person implies a discharge or catharsis of tensions. But the normal activities of everyday life are directly related to the cycle of need – satisfaction of that need. Thanks to this circuit, which increases internal tension in moments of need and reduces it in moments of satisfaction, every human being moves towards sources of supply of necessary things, and retreats before danger, thus preserving their structural integrity. People also move towards what allows them to both reproduce and expand their own structure. These two mechanisms have been known since ancient times as the “instinct of species preservation” and the “instinct of self-preservation.” The general system in human beings of tension-displeasure followed by distension-pleasure reflects at this higher biological level the fundamental natural physical phenomenon or law of disequilibrium – re-establishment of equilibrium. All human beings experience a wide variety of cathartic discharges including laughter, crying, talking about their problems, artistic production, purposeful or playful physical activity, etc. While such external activities do not at first glance appear to directly serve the instincts of preservation, they actually do fill a vital role by reestablishing internal equilibrium in the human being. At times the various channels of discharge may become blocked for any of a number of reasons. If this happens, the accumulated tension will always seek other ways to express itself, and thus indirectly re-establish internal balance in the person. However, if the tension accumulates faster than it can discharge, either directly or indirectly, then the whole structure of the human being will be endangered. Many illnesses are somatic expressions or internal explosions of tension generated by blockage of the external cathartic pathways. Acts of violence are another form of generalized explosions of tensions that are also sometimes expressed towards the external world. Clearly, an adequate system of catharsis is of fundamental importance in life. We now proceed to the exercises of cathartic probe:

Exercise 1 The guide asks the subject to tell several jokes and takes notes on what the subject says.

Exercise 2 The guide asks the subject to recount several historical events and takes notes on what the subject says.

Exercise 3 The guide asks the subject to describe happy events from his life and the guide takes notes on these.

Exercise 4 The guide asks the subject to describe serious or sad events from his life. The guide also takes notes on these.

Once they complete these four exercises, the guide takes the notes and asks the subject to summarize the common elements in the different stories that generated: a) muscular tension, and why this was produced; b) relaxation, and why this was produced; c) blocking such as forgetfulness, dissimulation, or silence, and why this happened; d) changes in the tone of voice, changes in breathing (sighs, etc.), changes in bodily posture, etc. and why these were produced. Once the subject completes this, the subject should briefly summarize the principal things that generate tension in himself, and the things that generate distension. Finally, the guide asks the subject to speak freely about things or reveries that release his tensions that make him feel better. This is a first and elementary catharsis. As is customary in this course, the guide then exchanges roles with the subject and they repeat the exercises. Take as many sessions as you need to complete these works. Each session should not last longer than one hour.