In the Words of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, “I Don’t Feel That Stick”

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote Stoic philosopher Epictetus, who stated, “He was sent to prison. But the observation ‘he has suffered evil,’ is an addition coming from you” (page 345). Here, Epictetus advocated what in my approach to REBT regards the Belief-Consequence (B-C) connection.

This concept is in stark contrast to the Action-Consequence (A-C) connection. For improved understanding, perhaps a relatively brief psychoeducational lesson on one of the main techniques of REBT may be of use.

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 distress or disturb themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive scripts, think of the acronym GLAD.

Additionally, from a psychological standpoint, people distress or disturb themselves using a B-C connection. Of course, this isn’t to suggest that in the context of the naturalistic or physical world there is no A-C connection.

From an A-C view, I allegedly violated orders when in the Marine Corps (Action), as I was then detained in a military brig (Consequence). Yet, from a B-C perspective, an imaginary person may’ve said that I suffered evil (had been the victim of profound injustice, harm, or malice).

For instance, I was twice detained in a brig (Action), one may’ve Believed, “The military is worthless [G], and I can’t abide its treatment of troops [L], as it’s awful [A], and Deric shouldn’t have suffered evil [D],” as this person may’ve then endured enragement (Consequence).

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.

My former detainment in the brig was a matter of the A-C connection. However, the imaginary person’s outlook that I’ve illustrated herein is a central component in the B-C connection. I didn’t suffer evil. Regarding this Epictetian view, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 345):

This is classic Stoic thinking, as you’ve gathered by now. An event itself is objective. How we describe it—that it was unfair, or it’s a great calamity, or that they did it on purpose—is on us.

During my time in the military, I could’ve benefited from the practice of Stoicism. Fortunately, I eventually began to use the ABC model and Stoicism to address both guilt and shame regarding my service. Identifying one man who helped in this regard, the authors state (page 345):

Malcolm X (then Malcolm Little) went into prison a criminal, but he left as an educated, religious, and motivated man who would help in the struggle for civil rights.

Did he suffer an evil? Or did he choose to make his experience a positive one? Acceptance isn’t passive. It’s the first step in an active process toward self-improvement.

Malcolm X, whose converted name was el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz and whose street name was Detroit Red, and I were alike in a number of ways. He was of black and white ancestry, as my dad is black and my late mom was white.

As well, we both participated in street life activities. Whereas his nickname was Detroit Red, my main one was 2-Nice. Additionally, we both shared a passion for justice. And of course, as outlined herein, we were both subject to undesirable incarceration/detention within our lives.

When using a B-C connection regarding my relatively short time in a military brig, I caused my own guilt and shame. However, I later incorporated into my Disputation of unhelpful Beliefs and practice of unconditional acceptance (UA) something that el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz once stated:

To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace. I formerly was a criminal. I formerly was in prison. I’m not ashamed of that. You never can use that over my head. He’s [who attempted to shame the civil rights leader] using the wrong stick. I don’t feel that stick.

The proverbial “stick” to which el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz referred was a composite of unproductive Beliefs. When Disputing these narratives and actively practicing UA, one no longer feels the unpleasant Consequence of the stick, which is also what Epictetus advocated.

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

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging 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, Designed by Stable Diffusion, fair use

References:

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