A self-reflection: An example of maps/transference in your life
Source:The Road Less Traveled
M. Scott Peck defines transference in his work Choosing a Map for Life as “is that set of ways of perceiving and responding to the world which is developed in childhood and which is usually entirely appropriate to the childhood environment (indeed, often life saving) but which is inappropriately transferred into the adult environment.”( P.19-20). We should absolutely be aware of this definition of transference because undoubtedly transferring events from childhood into our adult like atmosphere now. We need to be aware of our surroundings throughout our life and if we transfer past experiences into our current lives it may hinder our ability to perceive reality for what it really is. We need to strive to defeat this idea of transference, although it may not be possible for every situation, we should still try to “get out of the cave” and be the examined person we are intended to be. We cannot stay on one “map,” a metaphoric route which we take in our lives in order to solve problems’ or just live our lives. M. Scott Peck tells us that changing our map is often difficult, but we should not and must not stay on a false map and continually strive for the true map our life.
I think there are numerous examples of transference and map’s in my own life. I think one map I constantly am following is one of immoral choices I make. I do not always stop to think of what I am actually doing or the consequences that may actions may have. Like many teenagers I often have partaken in hooliganism and other such activities that may not be moral, but I just not have examined that map in my life and have not consciously tried to re-route that map. We must not continue on a false path! Continuing on false maps may just lead to numerous other problem’s down the line in our lives. Peck tells us that “if people do not honestly face the world and themselves, their lives will, at best be limited.”( p.17). This only further supports the reasoning to change your own personal maps. Why shouldn’t you be living life to its fullest? By this map I have made for myself has been transferred from earlier experiences where I just got away with small scale wrong things. I am not saying that the immoral actions have serious consequences I am merely saying that I should examine this map and beat the transference I have had since a small boy.
