After my extensive experimentation into the human ability to "grow" I have reached a conclusion. Well, I re-verified my findings is more accurate. In order to maximize willful growth in another individual you need a few ingredients.
1. The intended target will have to be in a submissive position to the teacher. ie; Teacher/Student , Master/Slave
This will bring the student closer to a state of disassociation, which is vital to making this all work.
2. It has to be understood by both parties that the teacher is only to GUIDE the student. It is not for the teacher to decide how the student should ultimately turn out. As the student grows they will develop a new sense of self. Putting your own personal nuances into the mix will stunt that growth. IF a teacher has personal goals for a student, make them separate from goals the student has to reach for themselves.
3. At some point the student MAY start to resist very strongly. It is at this time I strongly advise a break in tutelage. When the student stops being receptive it is because they have to apply what has already been taught. All growth up until that point has been in an environment fostered by the teacher(depending on situation).
The new personality needs time to interact with the world in all the ways their old one did. It's like getting a new car, you wouldn't race it until u gave it a few runs to get comfortable. In very personal situations (bf/gf, best friends)animosity can begin to brew. If left unchecked, it will destroy any relationship you had between you and your teacher.
4. Disassociation. Dissociation is a mental process that severs a connection to a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. The sense of identity part is what we're interested in. I personally dissociated through trauma 6 years ago. After about 4 years i was able to re-assemble myself into most of what i am now. Some people don't require trauma to abandon obsolete personality traits, or identities. Other people are far too stubborn to be moved by simple words. Something has to happen to make them feel the way they have been living up til then has failed them in some way. At that point its easier to abandon poor traits for new ones. Personally, I think everyone dissociates at some point in their life. I would even go so far as to say its necessary.
With all these things, anyone can become anyone they want to. Theres no reason to be stuck in the same rut you're in. No need to be the same person you hate looking at in the mirror. My personal experiment will be ending soon I feel. For better or for worse we'll have to wait and see. Til next time.
-Sour
