Paradoxes can secure our mental stability with dialectical thinking

The present day world has an overwhelming element of the unexpected. Paranoia and dread run amok when circumstances are difficult as a result of which our mental health can be jeopardized in testing times. While help should certainly be sought when necessary, we need to think of prevention before the cure. The former can be achieved through something most immediate– rational thinking. Our rational capability is the biggest weapon in our arsenal against the ups and downs of life and the right kind of thinking can galvanize defenses. In the given circumstances, the right kind of thinking has to be holistic in order to reconcile opposing forces or in other words, being dialectical.

Claire Nara, writing for Mental Health Today elaborates on the phenomenon of dialectical thinking while noting, “Dialectical thinking, also known as paradoxical thinking is, in many ways, the opposite of the catastrophic thinking that responds to threats. It is defined as seeing things from multiple perspectives. A fundamental principle of dialectical thinking is that everything is composed of opposites and that to understand things more fully, we need to understand their opposites. For example, if darkness is defined as the absence of light, we couldn’t describe it unless we also defined light. […] Because a defining principle of dialectical thinking is that everything is composed of opposites, it holds that nothing is ever black and white, or all good or all bad. Instead, every person, place, thing, and situation has both good and bad components.”

There is a lot of merit to the point Nara makes, given that when we sense trouble, the issue in our head is an isolated one. In mentally unfavourable situations, we forget to factor in the interconnectedness of things.

Our thinking, instead of being holistic, becomes one-dimensional, forcing us into submission and despondency. Dialectical thinking, which involves thinking of oppositions, by default, brings in newer elements to consider, broadening our viewpoint and ending the tyrannical effect of fear and despair. This can help us take to charge instead of feeling despondent and can open up intellectual possibilities on solving the problems at hand.

For example, if there is resentment against a friend for his emotional absence in your life, the situation might appear to be extremely dire to the point of feeling betrayed. However, when you think dialectically and think of what enabled this person to be present in your life in the past, you might think differently and be able to factor in the person’s personal struggles and professional circumstances. In the latter case, you avoid making a villain of the person as well as feel hurt while figuring out rational ways to reconnect with the individual.

This seemingly simple example involves a sophisticated and mature approach, which does not allow unpleasant emotions to take over and imperil your peace and relationships. Not only does this dialectical approach make you avoid feeling powerless, it most importantly restores your sense of self and enables you to be at peace. This is not to say that difficult emotional responses are invalid and sometimes you might be in trying situations, which should be duly acknowledged. However, dialectical thinking is about not repeatedly falling into a pattern of powerlessness and letting every tough day unsettle your sense of wholeness. Instead, it sustains itself by riding on the planks of your intelligence and strength, activating them to empower you in the process.

Seeing the paradoxes-ridden life holistically can toughen us during hard times and humble us in good times, thereby escaping the traps of hopelessness and complacency.

Whether it is your career or your personal life, a difficult journey or a windfall, dialectical thinking secures your mental well-being by keeping you grounded. A promotion would not make you arrogant because you will look at the milestones that are up ahead and an admonition at work would not break your resolve because you will look at what you have done and are capable of doing for your organization. A clear self-image, achieved through this paradigm of thinking can give you stability in increasingly uncertain times.

Dialectical thinking is a step in the right direction, a celebration of our human abilities and championing of human effort against life’s unpredictable nature.

(The author is Founder Upsurge Global, Venture Partner Silverneedle Ventures and Adjunct Professor EThames College)