Emotional investment Quote by Cynthia Bourgeault
““Beginning in infancy (or even before) each of us, in response to perceived threats to our well-being, develops a false self: a set of protective behaviors driven at root by a sense of need and lack. The essence of the false self is driven, addictive energy, consisting of tremendous emotional investment in compensatory "emotional programs for happiness," as Keating calls them.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Sacred Path of the Warrior”, 2010
Early protective behaviors form a false self that seeks happiness through addictive patterns.
In simple terms: False self seeks safety through habits.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and release false self.
Themes
identity
security
addiction
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
spiritual
psychological
When to use this quote
- childhood trauma
- stress coping
- habit change
- therapy
Key Concepts
Psychology
spiritual growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What “protective behaviors” dominate your life?
- How can you cultivate authentic self?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep patterns is difficult.
![“My emotional investment started when I read the first scene of the actual drama [45 Years]. I can't explain it, there's no logic to it, but the notion of one's youth that somehow comes back but is gone, a man of my age connecting to that timing of life.” quote by Tom Courtenay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a3/tom-courtenay-34985_age_my-emotional-investment-started-when-i-r_73411.jpg)
