An Eye for an Eye Leaves the Whole World Blind

[DISCLAIMER]

On the album Trouble & a Pair of Dice (2018), by lyricist NapsNdreds along with producer Nottz, is the track “Blind Folds” that features vocals by Neenah. On the chorus, Neenah sings:

I know, I know you probably wear a blindfold,

Because once you look, you can’t un-see anymore

Tell me how does it feel to be in the dark?

Will you ever see the light?

As time goes by,

An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

Regarding the last line of the chorus, I’m reminded of my religious upbringing. For instance, Exodus 21:22-25 states:

22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

The referenced biblical verse regards justice, which the American Psychological Association defines as “the impartial and fair settlement of conflict and differences, typically by legal process and the imposition of proportionate punishment.” Similarly, Leviticus 24:17-22 states:

17 “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. 18 Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life. 19 Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. 21 Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. 22 You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.’”

When taught these lessons in my youth, I was led to believe that biblical writings were represented as the infallible word of Jehovah (i.e., God). Therefore, I was required to obey such prescriptions. As such, I was commanded to obey Deuteronomy 19:16-21 that states:

16 If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, 17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. 18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, 19 then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you. 20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. 21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Given these absolute commands, I appreciate Neenah’s framing of the matter (i.e., an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind). I say this, because of the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) through which I now view the world.

REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is known as distress or disturbance.

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use to upset themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive beliefs, think of the acronym GLAD.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

In the cited biblical verses, demandingness narratives (e.g., “must”) were used in an absolutistic fashion. When contemplating this form of unaccommodating script, there’s no leeway for deviance from the moral and ethical prescriptions. These demands represent a do-or-die attitude.

When subscribing to religious principles, I was also taught that Yeshua (i.e., Jesus) established a new covenant from the Old Testament (OT) to the New Testament (NT). Specifically, Matthew 5:38-42 flexibly states:

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Per my interpretation of “Blind Folds”, if everyone who exists were to follow absolutistic prescriptions of the OT, rather than malleable recommendations of the NT, an eye for the eye leaves the whole world blind, because everyone who lives is a fallible human being.

Admittedly, regarding the foundations of my character, I identify more with leadership of the OT than that of the NT. Thus, turning the other cheek isn’t something for which I’ve ever maintained appreciation. Therefore, as an imperfect being, I find value in daily practice of REBT.

I know that a rigid “eye for an eye” method of living appeals to me, though it isn’t something that aligns with my interest and goal to remain out of a box and above ground. As such, I consider Neenah’s chorus a helpful reminder to practice another REBT technique.

In particular, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

Using UA, I recognize my flawed existence as one in which I have limited control and influence over most matters in life, to include the fact that I tend toward Jehovah’s version of rigid justice (USA). Given this view, I realize that an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind (UOA).

Additionally, I understand that when previously subscribing to religious values I was taught that perfection occurred only in Heaven, not on Earth, because we live in an imperfect world (ULA). Essentially, with my daily practice of UA, I know not to behave as though I’m Jehovah.

Now, I invite you to consider this psychoeducational lesson and how it may be applied to your life. Ultimately, as Neenah stated, “As time goes by, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” I’m not a deity, and neither are you!

A blindfolded Lady Justice is depicted with scales expressing the balance of justice, and a sword representing authority so that justice may be swiftly and finally administered, yet we aren’t people who need to go around figuratively plucking out “an eye for an eye” aimed at justice.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit (edited), Designed by Freepik, fair use

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