When we act, perceive or feel in ways that seem irrational – either to others or ourselves – it may still be rational in its own way.
Believing a certain thought leads to perceiving, feeling and acting in certain ways, and it may not look rational to someone who believe another set of thoughts. Even to ourselves, it may not make sense if we consciously believe on set of thoughts, and at a deeper level believe another. (Which is sometimes the case.)
Here are some other ways of saying the same:
When words and images seem “welded” to certain sensations (velcro), these appear real and solid and we act, feel and perceive as if they are real and solid. Again, if we have a conscious view that’s different, this may appear irrational even to ourselves.
When there is identification with a certain identity, we’ll act to protect and support this identity. This too may appear irrational, although it’s quite rational in the context of wishing to protect and enhance the identity. After all, it will feel like who we are, so protecting this identity may well feel like a life and death situation.
When there is trauma, we may act from anger, desperately seek company, isolate and so on. Again, it may seem irrational and yet be understandable and seem rational in the context of the particular trauma. (It’s possible to see beliefs, velcro and identifications as forms of trauma – sometimes very mild and sometimes stronger. They are all ways to try to protect the imagined self. And it tends to feel like a life and death matter, either mildly or strongly.)
So it may be understandable and rational within its own world. It may be kind, and come from a wish to protect the (imagined) self, and come from love for this imagined self.
And it’s often also slightly misguided, from a larger perspective. It’s not what makes the most sense, if we are more clear and healed.
………
………
……….
– rational in its own way
– rational when…. believe a thought, have velcro, respond to a trauma, is identified with a certain identity etc.
– rational from the “inside”, from within its own world