Sublimation
Sublimation occurs when the (usually negative) emotional and/or psychic energy of a physical unit is manipulated and redirected away from proper attachment (i.e. towards objects that have caused the negative emotions) and towards alternative and non-threatening targets (i.e. scapegoats). Sublimation can be undertaken "voluntarily" (though often unconsciously) if the physical unit is afraid to confront the appropriate target, or sublimation may occur through the conscious manipulation of a second party who is the cause of the emotion or psychic energy being redirected. Thus for example a father who abuses a child may encourage the child to sublimate and or repress in order to divert energy towards alternative targets.
According to Dr. Michael Sharp, sublimation is a one of the the three major defense mechanisms the Physical Unit uses to protect itself from pain and discomfort these being Repression, Sublimation, and Dissociation. The traditional Freudian defense mechanisms of projection, passive aggression, introjection, displacement, rationalization, and sublimation, all of which involve redirection and improper attachment of energies may all be subsumed under Sharp's primary defense mechanisms of sublimation.
It should be noted that proper expression of negative emotional and/or psychic energies involves proper attachment. Anger at parents should be directed at, and expressed, at parents and not scapegoats. Similarly the anger and resentment that one experiences as the result of economic exploitation at work should be directed at those who exploit and not one's spouse or children. Proper attachment of negative energies and right expression (i.e. Right Action of these energies is the only way to successfully resolve, release, diminish, and eliminate the negative energies from the physical unit. Forms of emotional numbing (i.e. pharmaceuticals, "tapping," rock concerts, etc.) only serve to manage and/or repress energies in the short term. Negative energies however remain active and invoked. This results ion the chronic release of stimulators into the bloodstream and consequent degradation and death of the physical unit.
Sublimation includes
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