In March I posted a conversation between myself and a friend on facebook.   Since the post we have gone back and forth and I wanted to share the rest of the conversation with you.   To see the original post, click here.  I would love feedback or comments about how you feel on the matter.

Comment:  Gererald Rubin – Over a month later I am clearer on the role of Internal Family Systems in activism. It is a completely different approach than I had inquired about. I believe that it is probably impossible to deal with the managers of destructive leaders. There’s too much narcissism and grandiosity in them to deal with such people. I use these terms to be descriptive rather than pathologizing as IFS does not pathologize and I agree with that.

Comment:  Gerald Rubin – Let me continue the above. It is impossible to meaningfully dialogue with such persons in my thinking. I have seen too many instances in my real life experiences to believe that dialogue is possible. Such people are disdainful and demeaning of others. If they do seem to listen it is most likely a ploy. Instead, I strongly believe the approach is to empower as many individuals as activists using IFS methods. Basically, a person undergoes a degree of healing using IFS and is not only happier, but much more effective and courageous; all of the positive characteristics of the Self come to fore. This makes the most effective activists. I am talking major differences here, not small improvements. I see how my Zen work has helped me enormously in increasing my own effectiveness. IFS is much easier to get these results than Zen is. Jay, I know you are trying to get IFS into the mainstream with your books and website and your emphasis on peer therapy and the like. I believe that your endeavor to get IFS into the mainstream is probably the most important task at hand in mitigating the decline of our society. I don’t know how many others perceive this, but for me it has been quite obvious for some time.

My Response:  Jay Earley – Wow! Thank you, Gerald. I do hope that getting IFS into the mainstream, as you say, can help people to be more effective in helping to transform society, not only as activists, but also as citizens and people helping to create an entirely new culture and society. A huge task, but that is what we are facing at this point in history. My latest project is a web application based on IFS and the Pattern System, which I hope will go mainstream. It won’t be up until this summer or fall but I have high hopes for it. Thanks for your encouragement.

Comment:  Gerald Rubin -  I believe that a web application would be a very good approach. I am looking forward to when it comes out. I also believe that the best way to create such as project is not to rush it, even though it is very important information.