Page 11 - Here and Now – Apr 2024

images of parents wanted the authority figure to be nurturing and supportive always. Hence
the rational/intellectual learning of the adult life does not get implemented and the
expectations from authority are set up through the unconscious filter of the fulfillments/
deprivations of the early authority experiences and/or perhaps some deep-seated needs as

human beings.

Search for unconditional love and being understood

As I reflected further, I have come to a deeper level hypothesis underlying this widely prevalent
(almost universal) phenomenon which has also been validated by the data from my sessions in
India, USA as well as Austria.

Human beings have a conscious/unconscious search for unconditional love and
being understood (even without expressing) and be accepted,
translated into a need for approval/appreciation from authority

figures in relationship with them. This need seems to be almost
universal in human beings but not always owned and conscious.

Impact on the Authority and group Relationships

This often largely unconscious unclarified and unowned search along with the supporting myths
significantly impacts experiences and relationship with authority figures. Some of the impacts
are:

1. Operating in Judgment/prescription paradigm: There is a tendency to experience
communications from authority in terms of right/wrong, like/dislike,
acceptance/rejection rather than as their/views ideas or opinions or an observation to

consider. This paradigm also leads to the generalisation of an incident/experience to the
whole person as well as personalizing the issue - If I felt disapproved at a time, that
person in authority is disapproving. Also, what comes from authority is received through
a filter of a high need for approval and high propensity for experiencing no matter what
is given except validation and approval as a rejection.

2. Intermixing between Authority Figures: Operating from the myths and may be some
more assumptions/myths and needs, there is an intermixing in our psyche between
authority figures e.g., parents, teachers, facilitators, and spiritual leaders (Guru) or (God)

leading to some of the following:

a) The experiences and consequent expectations from one are transferred to other
authority figures whether or not they are in a position, personal capacity or role to
fulfill them.

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