50. Demotivational Process

There is another form of life energy exchange called the demotivational process. The interaction between the individual and his surroundings leaves him with a net energy loss. This is no longer a question of the balance that can arise in the exchange of energy in an unequal relationship, like that between parent and child.

Drain of Energy

The demotivational process means that the exchange of life energy causes a deficit, and the individual cannot offset this drain through detransmutation. (Motivational Work, Part 1, Values and Theory, pages 436 – 456).

Level of Motivation

The demotivational process can arise when the contact rebus is received in an interaction between individuals. If the contact rebus has a level of demotivation greater than the individual’s own transmitted contact rebus, life force is lost on the exchange. Because of the greater level of demotivation, the individual will experience pain that is more or less transmuted.

Warning Signal

Suppose the demotivation leads to a lower general degree of motivation. In that case, the individual will have more destructiveness in his transmitted contact rebuses, which become a cry for help to those around him. In cases such as this, the greater degree of destructiveness in the contact rebuses serves as a warning signal.

The Received Pain

The destructiveness in the received contact rebus causes damage to the individual, the untransmuted sensation of which is pain. This is the clearest warning signal that the individual can send to himself. In turn, he must have enough life energy to achieve untransmuted contact with the pain.

Destructive Transmutation

If, on the other hand, the individual does not have this life energy, the pain will be transmuted, and all such transmutation will tend toward destructiveness. Since the individual’s need for life energy has increased, the transmutation will be more comprehensive in line with neutral transmutation principles.

A Manifested Motivated Person

The destructiveness is the transmuted warning signal that exists in the pain. A manifestly motivated person will notice his destructiveness, and the more motivated he is, the less destructiveness is needed for him to be made aware of it and react. The manifestly motivated person can thus handle the pain associated with the demotivational process in two ways, his choice depending on the amount of life energy he has available to him.

Case Study

Taken Hostage

Arne, 40, is having a terrifying experience. He has been taken hostage on a bus by a group of terrorists demanding the release from the prison of some of their members. The terrorists belong to a political organization fighting for independence from a colonial power. If their demands aren’t met, they will kill their hostages. For two days, Arne lives in fear for his life until he and the other hostages are finally freed by the police.

A Changed Man

On his return, Petronella (35), Arne’s wife of many years, finds him a changed man. He has sleeping difficulties exacerbated by recurring nightmares. He also becomes involved in the political wing of the terrorist organization, goes to their meetings, and generally gives them support.

Petronella feels Arne has emotionally cut himself off from her and is no longer committed to their marriage. Instead, he wants Petronella to share his interest in the terrorist organization. At first, Petronella is upset by Arne’s new attitude, and she gradually withdraws emotionally from him.

Discussion

Arne is in a demotivational process, gradually draining him of life force. Arne has, as a hostage, been caused such pain that he does not have the life energy needed to keep it untransmuted. Instead, he acts out his destructiveness by withdrawing from his wife. He also has sleeping problems and suffers from nightmares. However, he is also very compliant in dealing with the terrorists’ political organisation.