Dr. Twerski’s lobster analogy is absolutely brilliant

Dr. Twerski’s lobster analogy is absolutely brilliant. If I’d gone to a doctor when my ex triggered my unresolved childhood trauma and I was having a mental breakdown, I might still be living in an emotional prison—medicated and not emotionally liberated. Instead, I did my own research. Through Alice Miller’s books, I became my own enlightened witness and guided myself through those painful emotions.

@dakotakennedy9581 2 hours ago Awesome! How did you do it?

I wrote a memoir, A Dance to Freedom (2014), to share my path. When intense feelings surface, sit/lie down and fully feel the repressed emotions of the child you once were. By understanding these feelings in the context of your childhood, they transform into self-compassion. If you avoid this, repressed pain will drive you to hurt yourself or others.

As Alice Miller explains: We unconsciously redirect childhood rage onto scapegoats ("transferrence"). To break this:

• SEE your parents clearly (as wounded children themselves)

• Feel the terror of the small child you were

• Let transference guide you to believe what your body always knew: "I was innocent. This was not my fault."

Most of humanity is stuck here — repeating cycles of blame. This is why figures like Trump gain power: they offer crowds "poisonous containers" for their pain (e.g., immigrants as scapegoats). Healing ourselves breaks this vicious circle.

Memoir: A Dance to Freedom
Alice Miller reviews: My Blog

Dr. Abraham Twerski's analogy theory, particularly his use of the lobster analogy, is a powerful tool to understand personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity. 

Here's a breakdown:

1. The Lobster Analogy:

The Rigid Shell: As a lobster grows, its rigid shell becomes too small, causing discomfort and pressure.

Molting and Vulnerability: The lobster must shed its old shell to grow, making it vulnerable until a new shell hardens.

Discomfort as a Catalyst: The discomfort from the confining shell stimulates the lobster's growth.

Growth Through Adversity: This relates to human experience, suggesting that stress, adversity, and discomfort can signal growth and opportunities for strength when responded to positively. 

2. Applying the Analogy:

Comfort Zones and Stagnation: Humans can get stuck in "comfort zones," avoiding the discomfort necessary for growth, similar to a lobster in a shell that's too small.

Embracing Discomfort: Recognizing discomfort and stress as signals for potential growth is important, rather than viewing them solely as negative experiences.

Stepping Out of Our Shells: People are encouraged to metaphorically "molt" or step outside of their comfort zones, embracing the vulnerability and uncertainty that come with change and growth.

Building Resilience: Facing challenges and discomfort can develop new skills, knowledge, and resilience, leading to becoming "bigger and stronger," similar to the lobster with a new, larger shell. 

3. Key Takeaways:

Discomfort can be a positive sign: It signals readiness for growth.

Change involves risk and vulnerability: Progress requires stepping out of comfort zones, which can be difficult.

Growth is a process: Developing new skills and adapting to change takes time and effort. 

Dr. Twerski's analogy theory, using the example of the lobster, explains that growth often comes from embracing discomfort and vulnerability, and that challenges can be catalysts for positive change.