Projection

An invisible defense mechanism

Projection refers to a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable or unwanted thoughts, feelings, or impulses to someone else. They unconsciously deny these aspects of themselves and instead attribute them to others, believing that others possess those qualities or intentions.

In other words, projection involves perceiving qualities, desires, or emotions in others that actually exist within oneself but are too uncomfortable or unacceptable to acknowledge consciously. It is a way to externalize and distance oneself from those undesirable aspects, shifting the responsibility or blame onto others.

Projection can occur in many forms, for example, someone who has repressed feelings of anger may consistently perceive others as being angry or aggressive. Alternatively, an individual who is insecure about their own abilities may project their insecurities onto others by believing that others are constantly judging or criticizing them.

Sound familiar? Here’s an example.

Imagine a person who struggles with low self-esteem and often feels unworthy. They come across a self-help quote that says, "You are deserving of love and happiness." Instead of internalizing and accepting the message as it is, the person may project their own self-doubts onto the quote. They might think, "Well, maybe others deserve love and happiness, but I'm different. I'm not worthy of those things."

In this scenario, the person is projecting their own feelings of unworthiness onto the quote, distorting its meaning to fit their negative self-perception. By projecting their own insecurities onto the message, they avoid confronting their own issues and continue to reinforce their negative self-image.

Projection influences how individuals interpret and respond to various situations by distorting their understanding to align with their internal conflicts and insecurities.

Okay, here are a few famous quotes with examples with classic projection:

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain

Do you like this one? Ever share it on the gram? Well, most likely you’ve got something you’ve been wanting to start, and never have. Also, you probably have a problem with procrastination. Or you have a problem with people who are lazy, procrastinate and who are less motivated than you in a particular area. Here, let’s do another.

“All our dreams will come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney

Do you believe this is true? Well, you probably have a major fear of change, or you have a big problem with people who cannot change. In addition, when you see others making positive changes in their life you become resentful. Only a handful of people truly know that this quote from Walt is true because only a handful of people have the courage it takes to pursue and see it through. 

“I never dreamed about success; I worked for it” – Estee Lauder

Do you believe this is true, that success is not created or envisioned but earned through hard work, long hours and grinding it out? Well, you probably have insecurities around money and a fear of not having it. In addition, you most likely; work too much, live too little, sleep like shit and drink like a fish. But you got that money right? Doubt it, you’re too busy keeping up with The Joneses. You see, the river of insecurity that flows inside is fed by many creeks. A sense of lack in one area is a system-wide error. 

Okay, admittingly the vast majority of us do not fully embody our deepest values–guilty! So then, are we at least making strides towards embodiment; growing ourselves, developing?

Well, are you? No one can do it for you. This is a one man show. 

If you don’t embody the values in which you project out into the world, if there’s a disconnect between who and what you “think” you are and what actually is, they call that delusion. I call it being a fucking asshole.

Alrighty, “Spiritual Mike” is gonna take a smoke break real quick and will return shortly. Please enjoy the following short section from Mike’s counterpart, “Pragmatic Mike.”

Look, I’m gonna give it to you straight because it’s the only way I know how. If you don't like it, please feel free to find another teacher–someone to blow smoke up your ass and make you feel all warm and fuzzy because that ain't me. 

Let’s play a game, it’s called: You Might Be An Asshole!

You might be an asshole if you;

Talk shit about the homeless while being financially comfortable.

Talk shit about the rich while being poor. 

Hate lying and corruption but can’t tell the truth to save your life.

Get angry at people for getting angry.

Feel self-righteous when people get into trouble.

Become upset at the driver who runs a red light. 

Basically, whether you're conscious of it or not, you're acting like a giant asshole when you look down upon or judge others for the same behaviors, qualities and characteristics that you inherently possess. Some call it being unconscious, delusional, or projection, and I used to call it those as well–but now you’re just assholes. No more excuses, you’re just an asshole. If you can’t see the consequences of your own behavior or how they affect others, you're an asshole, period. 

For those arguing that maybe there are some who never learned this, had a traumatic childhood or whatever other normative excuse–bullshit! And too bad, it’s everyone's responsibility to take responsibility–no one gets a free pass to be a dick.  

And if it isn't obvious yet, the reason why we do this, the reason why we so blindly act out the very behaviors we criticize and judge in others is because we don't have the awareness to notice ourselves behaving this way–we can’t see it–at least many of us can't. How many times in your life have you accidentally, or purposefully, ran a red light or drove your car 15 mph over the speed limit? And yet this person who just drove through a red in front of you, or who just blazed past you in the left lane, you just labeled the antichrist. Well, guess what, so are you! You do the same shit, dumbass! This is just your egoic mind's attempt at making you feel superior, better or more evolved than someone else. It's a weak and pathetic attempt for righteousness, power and happiness which is chronically unattainable in your normal day-to-day life.

Woo, okay, I’m back y'all! everything alright? Did Prag-Mat-Mike upset you? Ugh, he’s such a dick sometimes! Please accept my loving, heartfelt apologies. He means well, it’s just sometimes he doesn't know how to communicate respectfully. 

Look, I don't mean to be so direct or harsh but enough is enough okay? If you want a quick fix, here’s one; shut your fucking mouth. 99% of this shit that leaves it is personal opinion, beliefs, unverified facts, meaningless gossip and ultimately a way to distract yourself from the horrorshow you call your life. 

“Wow, Wow, Wow easy kid, pump the brakes!” 

Son-of-a-bitch! Prag-Mat-Mike it’s still you isn't it? Get outta here!!

“AHHH! You got me! Okay fine, FINE! I’ll go get lame ass Spiritual Mike” *as he fades into darkness and mumbles under his breath* “fuckin pussy.” 

*Spiritual Mike Reenters*

”Oh, hey guys. Everyone good? Should we take a moment to recenter, hold hands, maybe chant for a bit?”

LOL, sorry about all that. I have to amuse myself somehow. It’s lonely up here on the summit where I live. 

Back to it, let’s polish off this beauty, shall we?

Here’s the real solution, because I doubt anyone is going to shut up. The real solution is to get eyes on the problem. Yes, that's right, awareness. It’s like putting a camera inside your mind and watching it operate to study the inner workings and find any issues. We all have this camera technology but not everyone watches the feed, ya feel me? 

Again, I’m going to give it to you straight up because Spiritual Mike is also a straight shooter: Awareness is the most important thing in your life. You may not know it yet, but you will someday. It shapes and controls every aspect of your life from beginning to end.

I’ll put it to you like this; if I had one wish–just one that I could use for anything in the whole universe–I would wish for the world to become fully aware. Aware of their true nature–of the nature of mind. For then, and only then, would there be unconditional love, peace and happiness. We must become aware that we are the roadblock, the barrier in the way of ourselves. We must learn to get out of our own way. But that doesn't begin until you realize you are the very thing doing the blocking, and that takes awareness.

So, back to my point; awareness is the most important thing in your life. Why? Because it’s your limit, your ceiling, your ultimate potential. Whatever your level of awareness is at this point right now is it. You cannot see past it, even if others can. You are limited to this level, that is unless you transcend it. When you get mad, do you know why you got mad? Can you even admit it to yourself because usually it's your insecurities, your own bullshit that makes you feel this way, not something someone else did or said. 

Usually goes something like, “you really upset me when you texted that other guy and tried to hide it.” Why did it upset you, because you feel betrayed, lied to, disrespected? Yeah sure that maybe, but deep down you’re upset because life didn't go your way. It made the choice for you and today it chose HARD! Additionally, you failed to see the inner workings of human emotions. Instead of noticing the uncomfortable emotions emanating from the situation, you immersed yourself with them. Increasing your awareness will solve this problem. 

Let me just ask you something real quick, does the incredibly awful feeling of betrayal, like the physical feeling and the emotions that accompany after being betrayed, do they help the situation at all, even one iota? 

Are you aware of your emotions and where they emanate from?

Are you aware of the personal and global consequences or effects of your actions?

Are you aware of how the things you consume determines how you feel?

Are you aware of how the digital and verbal content you consume shapes your beliefs?

Are you aware of the FACT that your egoic mind is a lie factory built to deceive you?

Are you aware of the FACT that you are not your mind (thoughts and emotions)?

Are you aware of your divine path to face your fears and follow your dreams?

Are you aware of the beauty and peace that surrounds you right this second?

If the answer is no to any of these you have some work to do. Remember, the goal in life isn't to be the richest, smartest or sexiest–it’s to embody as much of your true authentic self as possible. In other words, the goal is to strip away as much of the personal self/ego as possible.

Because of life’s paradoxical nature, by pursuing your true authentic self instead of following your personal preferences and insecure ego–all the wealth, wisdom and attractiveness you seek will emanate from you effortlessly. 

You may not necessarily be “loaded” but you will be rich in spirit. Haha, that may be the lamest thing I’ve ever written and yet it made the cut. Because it's the best description for what happens when you embody the true self–life transforms or shifts from the physical to the spiritual–what was once a life of seeking comfort, pleasure and artificial happiness (aka serving your ego) has shifted to seeking truth (aka spirit, in service to the Universe/God/The Source/Infinite Intelligence/Consciousness, etc...). 

So you may not be a billionaire, but I bet you’d be more than comfortable. How do I know this? Because if you were the “type” that was spiritually wealthy you’d be passionately living your life sharing your wisdom and greatest gifts in service to the world–and that’s rare! Also, those who are in communication with “spirit” are the true creators, manifestors and artists–they tap into the space beyond themselves and bring back with them, into the physical, something never seen or known before.

Hacks, or people who “think” they are creators and artists, take what has already been discovered, invented or created and redesigns it as their own. So yeah, a true manifestor–someone with real creative vision is someone I would consider to have significant value in a world full of hacks.

So, what’s it gonna be? Ego or Truth? You have a choice, you always do. 

Are you going to continue to remain asleep, projecting your insecurities and fears onto reality and the world? Or will you commit to waking up, developing your awareness and to have the courage to look inside instead of outside as the source of all your problems?

Remember, as always, doing nothing is a win for the ego.

With love and gratitude,

Mike Miller (TMD)