Contemplation And Mental Illness

Psychopathy is best understood as a condition that is made up of a group of traits that while distinct coalesce into a single social pathogenic point of view. Characterized by antisocial behaviour, psychopaths exhibit a persistent lack of empathy and remorse, as well as bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. Psychiatrists and psychologists are divided into two camps when it comes to diagnosing psychopathy. One group believes that the diagnosis should only be applied to those who are beyond the third standard deviation, or 2% of the population. The other group accepts these traits as being much more ubiquitous within the population and that while they many not be fully developed, still function on a lower, yet significant level in people's antisocial behaviours. This second understanding allows for deeper insight into human motivation when social situations are disrupted. In either case it is a fearful thing to run up against psychopaths. You may believe that only 2% of the population is this way, but the truth is that likely half of any given population or more exhibit these traits to one degree or another. This applies to any population with religious devotion as well.

Nothing could be more opposed to or opposite of the practise of contemplation and the possibility of a direct encounter with God than psychopathy.

Whereas...

...contemplatives deny themselves, psychopaths exhibit the need to sense their own importance

...contemplatives seek to quiet their minds, psychopaths seek as much stimulation as possible

...contemplatives respect others for who they are, psychopaths find pleasure in manipulating others

...contemplatives are committed to truth, psychopaths will lie in order to reach their goals

...contemplatives seek to be contrite, psychopaths never say that they are sorry

...contemplatives do not care about impressing others, psychopaths are wantonly charming and persuasive

...contemplatives are honest about their emotions, psychopaths show little emotion

...contemplatives take a committed approach to their relationships, psychopaths are in and out of relationships

...contemplatives are discriminate in their sexuality, psychopaths are promiscuous

...contemplatives take a longer view of their lives, psychopaths are impulsive

...contemplatives seek to take responsibility for their place in the world, psychopaths refuse responsibility for their actions

...contemplatives serve others and give sacrificially, psychopaths will take as much as they can get from others

...contemplatives deny themselves, psychopaths find it hard to control their behaviour

...contemplatives set up long-term goals, psychopaths lack these

...contemplatives have a history of accountability, psychopaths have been delinquent in many respects

...contemplatives have a structured understanding of society, psychopaths do not believe that the rules apply to them

...contemplatives are careful to respect others' boundaries, psychopaths do not

From this list you can see why some psychologists will only diagnose someone as a true psychopath when all conditions are fully met. Someone who is so inclined is an overwhelming threat to the people with whom they are in contact. We have all met people like this. But at the same time the world is filled with others who exhibit these traits in a more subdued and guarded manner. These scuttle people's ability to function in healthy social gatherings. And if one is left unguarded the influence of these people can greatly threaten one's wellbeing, and in the case of the requisites of contemplative living, these can not only mislead, but even destroy the foundations of God's intervention in one's life.

The traditional saying goes: Don't bite the hand that feeds you. But contemplatives need to heed the opposite for the sake of their own lives: Don't feed the hand that bites you.