James Hollis: "Fahafatesana inona no hofidiana rehefa manatona ny sampana?"

To tell the truth, I am embarrassed to admit that one of the main books for me is the book of James Hollis «On the most important thing.» It is assumed that advanced readers experience changes under the influence of more subtle means, novels and poems that do not declare their ambitions for life changes from the threshold. But I do not think that the title of this wise book should be taken as a primitive move characteristic of self-help publications. Rather, it is a refreshing directness of expression. “Life is full of trouble,” writes psychoanalyst James Hollis. In general, he is a rare pessimist: numerous negative reviews of his books are written by people who are infuriated by his refusal to energetically cheer us up or give out a universal recipe for happiness.

Raha mbola zatovo aho, na farafaharatsiny mbola tanora, dia ho sosotra ihany koa amin'ity fitarainana ity. Saingy namaky an'i Hollis aho tamin'ny fotoana mety, taona vitsivitsy lasa izay, ary ny tononkirany dia rano mangatsiaka, tehamaina mampahory, fanairana—misafidiana izay fanoharana ho ahy. Izany indrindra no tena nilaiko.

James Hollis, as a follower of Carl Jung, believes that «I» — that voice in our head that we consider ourselves — is actually only a small part of the whole. Of course, our «I» has many schemes that, in his opinion, will lead us to happiness and a sense of security, which usually means a big salary, social recognition, a perfect partner and ideal children. But in essence, the «I», as Hollis argues, is just «a thin plate of consciousness floating on a sparkling ocean called the soul.» The powerful forces of the unconscious have their own plans for each of us. And our task is to find out who we are, and then heed this calling, and not resist it.

Izany dia tena radikaly ary miaraka amin'izay koa ny fahatakarana manetry tena ny asan'ny psikolojia. Midika izany fa ny hevitsika momba izay tadiavintsika amin'ny fiainana dia azo inoana fa tsy mitovy amin'izay tadiavin'ny fiainana amintsika. Ary midika koa izany fa amin'ny fiainana misy dikany, dia mety handika ny drafitra rehetra isika, tsy maintsy miala amin'ny faritry ny fahatokisan-tena sy ny fampiononana ary hiditra amin'ny faritry ny fijaliana sy ny tsy fantatra. Ny marary an'i James Hollis dia milaza ny fomba nahatsapany tamin'ny farany teo antenatenan'ny fiainana fa nandritra ny taona maro dia nanaraka ny fepetra sy ny drafitra nataon'ny olon-kafa, ny fiaraha-monina na ny ray aman-dreniny izy ireo, ary vokatr'izany, isan-taona dia nanjary diso ny fiainany. Misy ny fakam-panahy hiombom-po amin’izy ireo mandra-pahatsapanao fa toa izany avokoa isika rehetra.

In the past, at least in this respect, it was easier for humanity, Hollis believes, following Jung: myths, beliefs and rituals gave people more direct access to the realm of mental life. Today we try to ignore this deep level, but when suppressed, it eventually breaks through to the surface somewhere in the form of depression, insomnia or nightmares. «When we have lost our way, the soul protests.»

Tsy misy antoka anefa fa handre izany antso izany isika. Maro no mampitombo fotsiny ny ezaka ataony mba hahitana fahasambarana amin'ny lalana efa tranainy. Miantso azy ireo ny fanahy mba hihaona amin’ny fiainana — kanefa, hoy ny nosoratan’i Hollis, ary io teny io dia manana dikany roa ho an’ilay mpitsabo, “maro, araka ny zavatra niainako, no tsy tonga amin’ny fanendrena azy”.

Okay, so what’s the answer then? What is really the most important thing? Don’t wait for Hollis to say. Rather hint. At every important crossroads in life, he invites us to ask ourselves: «Does this choice make me bigger or smaller?» There is something inexplicable about this question, but it has helped me get through several life dilemmas. Usually we ask ourselves: “Will I become happier?” But, frankly, few people have a good idea of ​​​​what will bring happiness to us or our loved ones.

Fa raha manontany tena ianao hoe hihena na hitombo ve ianao noho ny safidinao, dia mahagaga matetika ny valiny. Ny safidy tsirairay, araka ny filazan'i Hollis, izay mandà mafy ny ho be fanantenana, dia lasa karazana fahafatesana ho antsika. Noho izany, rehefa manatona ny sampana iray, dia tsara kokoa ny misafidy ny karazana fahafatesana izay manandratra antsika, fa tsy ilay iray izay hifikitra amin'ny toerany.

And anyway, who said that «happiness» is an empty, vague and rather narcissistic concept — the best measure to measure someone’s life? Hollis cites the caption to a cartoon in which a therapist addresses a client: “Look, there is no question of you finding happiness. But I can offer you a compelling story about your troubles.» I would agree to this option. If the result is a life that makes more sense, then it’s not even a compromise.

¹ J. Hollis «Inona no zava-dehibe indrindra: Fiainana Fiainana Heverina kokoa» (Avery, 2009).

Loharano: The Guardian