The Healthy Management of Reality - Stanford University

The people of the Andes found themselves in a particular situation, andresponded to that situation by sculpting their environment in a way that hassustained them for centuries. So also, each of us finds himself or herself in aspecific time and place, with a limited amount of resources. The question is how toincrease the chances that, with that starting point, one can fashion a life that isrewarding and meaningful in the long run.It is this task, which all humans confront in one way or another, which Irefer to as "managing reality." This book is intended to consider how this can bedone in a "healthy" way, that is, a way that leads to good outcomes for oneself andothers.Chapters 1 through 6 consist of definitions and descriptions of the key ideason which this approach is based, including a helpful way to think about reality andthings to consider as one sets a direction for one's life. Chapter 7 focuses on thepart of reality that is found only inside our mind. It describes four levels ofinternal reality that I have found useful to address when working with depressedpatients, and suggests methods to mold these four levels so they bring about agreater sense of well being. Chapter 8 focuses on external reality, that part of yourreality that can be observed by others. It describes several elements that areworthwhile considering as you think about your life and suggests methods to moldeach of these elements into health-engendering influences for yourself.The epilog presents a framework for living with a mind that is fullyconscious, aware of where it is headed, and how each step along the way leadscloser to or farther away from one's destination. In it, I borrow an intriguingconcept from a little-known individual from the Middle Ages, and attempt to adaptit to a perspective that could be useful as we enter the twenty-first century.HMOR.July2005.Muñoz.doc 11