David approached the interview with Andrew Tate non-confrontationally to create safety and allow Tate to open up, rather than putting him on the defensive. This approach helped build a connection and led to a more authentic conversation.
Therapists can support men by not resisting their resistance, affirming their rationalizations, and being patient. Creating a safe space where men feel understood and validated can help them let down their guard and open up to deeper emotional exploration.
Core energetics is a somatic psychotherapy that integrates physical techniques with emotional release to help integrate repressed energy and emotions. It aims to move individuals through layers of defense to access and process their deeper pain and ultimately achieve a more integrated, authentic self.
David Sutcliffe believes American culture is predominantly psychopathic (aggressive pattern), with elements of rigidity. This pattern is characterized by a focus on charisma, control, manipulation, and a belief that power and status are primary values.
David advises men to ask themselves if they are betraying themselves by not sharing their true beliefs. While they should be discerning about what and how they share, the key is to remain authentic and own their capacity for cruelty, which can help maintain relationships and reduce self-sabotage.
Confronting and integrating the lower self, which is the defense against pain and an intention to separate, helps men understand their capacity for cruelty and take responsibility for it. This process can lead to more authentic connections and reduce shame, allowing for a more integrated and powerful presence.
Men can become more present with their emotions by creating a container for them and being willing to feel and tolerate the discomfort. This involves recognizing and identifying emotions in the body, not just the mind, and asking why they are feeling a certain way to gain deeper insights.
The five personality patterns in core energetics are: 1) Schizoid (leaving pattern), characterized by fear and a tendency to leave the body. 2) Oral (merging pattern), associated with unmet needs and a desire to merge with others. 3) Masochist (enduring pattern), marked by holding back energy and enduring pain. 4) Psychopath (aggressive pattern), characterized by narcissistic wounding and a mask of power. 5) Rigid, defined by a rules-based order and external validation.
Maintaining relationships in the face of disagreement is crucial because it prevents the projection of one's lower self onto others and the creation of harmful divisions. It fosters deeper understanding and connection, reducing the risk of isolation and the destructive energy that comes with cutting people off.
Talking points: culture, masculinity, the shadow
This was one of those wide-ranging convos that made me lose track of time. David and I cover a ton in this as you'll see from the timestamps, with some great info on "core energetics", personality types, and more. Dig in.
(00:00:00) - How David approached interviewing such a polarizing figure, and do all men have such a rigid mask?
(00:09:04) - How do you support men in a way that allows them to actually open up?
(00:15:40) - Is it all just an act, and killing your shadow versus integrating
(00:22:35) - What is core energetics and the five personality “patterns”?
(00:31:10) - Which pattern best describes American culture, and what do you think we need to do?
(00:37:14) - Do we HAVE to play the polarization game to get anywhere?
(00:44:54) - What David would say to men who are hiding opinions that might get them in trouble
(00:58:01) - What is the “lower self”?
(01:07:22) - Advice for men who actively resist their own emotions
David Sutcliffe is a Somatic Therapist, a Certified Core Energetics Practitioner with over 15 years experience. He has a private practice out of Austin, Texas, and holds workshops across the United States and Canada. He is also a trained hypnotherapist, a mindset expert, and has extensive experience with meditation, yoga, shamanism, physical fitness, nutrition, and wellness. A former actor, he is well known for his roles in the popular TV series Gilmore Girls and Private Practice, and movies Under The Tuscan Sun and Happy Endings.
Connect with David
-Website: https://www.davidsutcliffe.com)
-YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZJ1KD4)
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsutcliffe33/)
Pick up my book, Men's Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/)
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