Persistent magical rumination refers to a mental process in which an individual continuously thinks about magical concepts, spells, and powers. It involves constant reflection, contemplation, and obsession with all things related to magic. This state of mind can often consume a person's thoughts and actions, leading to an intense fascination, preoccupation, and engagement with the mystical realm. **One of the main characteristics of persistent magical rumination is the ongoing and repetitive nature of the thoughts about magic.** Individuals experiencing this phenomenon may find themselves immersed in a never-ending cycle of thinking about spells, potions, and magical creatures. They may constantly analyze and dissect magical theories and practices, seeking to gain a deeper understanding and unravel the mysteries of the supernatural.
Repeating entire conversations in your head is a type of rumination. It’s how your mind attempts to self-soothe.
Moreover, 6 months later it was observed that the most significant predictor of posttraumatic symptoms was intrusive rumination, whereas deliberate rumination was the most significant predictor of posttraumatic growth. Try to see your worry as one small data point in the larger continuum of your life or as one small wave in the ocean of humanity That ain t but a zit on the face of time.
They may constantly analyze and dissect magical theories and practices, seeking to gain a deeper understanding and unravel the mysteries of the supernatural. People caught in the grip of persistent magical rumination may spend countless hours researching, reading, and studying magical texts, seeking guidance from spiritual sources, and attending magical workshops and gatherings. **Their fixation on magic often extends beyond personal interests and hobbies, permeating different aspects of their lives and affecting their relationships, routines, and decision-making processes.
Persistent magical rumination
Typical beliefs and assumptions that fuel worry: (Shearer & Gordon, 2006)
Intolerance for uncertainty: "If I think about this enough, I should feel a sense of certainty."
Intolerance for discomfort: "If I can just think this through, I won't have to feel this way."
Inflated sense of responsibility and culpability: "If bad things happen, it's my fault."
Distorted risk assessment/emotional reasoning: "If it feels likely, it is likely. If it feels dangerous, it is dangerous."
Perfectionism--mistakes are unacceptable: "Mistakes mean I wasn't in control and screwed up."
Pessimism/presumed incapability: "Bad things will happen to me and I won't be able to deal with it."
Misconstrued virtue: "Worry shows how deeply I care about my children."
Overvaluation of the thought process: "Because I have a thought, it is, therefore, an important thought, and I must give it my full attention and get it settled. I can anticipate and avoid discomfort by worrying."
"Meta-worry" or worry about worrying: "I'm making myself sick. I'm going to bring on an early heart attack. I'm out of control. I'm weak. If my faith was stronger, I wouldn't worry."
Implicit magical beliefs: "Worry prevents bad things from happening. It keeps loved ones safer."
- The limits of reassurance: If reassurance doesn't work the first time, it's probably not going to work so don't keep trying to make it work. The temporary relief you feel when reassured simply sets up your next need for reassurance. Plus, when you go looking for reassurance enough, you will usually uncover something new to worry about!
- The limits of worry suppression: What we resist persists. Often, the more we try to directly suppress worry, the more we worry.
- Indeed, control of thought content is the problem, not the solution. "Ironic processes" in our thinking and behaving seem to leave us inclined to think about that which we are striving not to think about (see Wegner).
- Worry and religious faith: Your faith or your prayers may help to dampen worry, but, if not, can leave you worrying about your faith as well! Aim for meditative prayer and guidance in coping more effectively rather than supplicatory prayer asking that your worries be removed. Do not make your worries the litmus test of your faith.
- Worry and insomnia often become a vicious circle. When you worry, sleep onset is delayed and when sleep onset is delayed, you worry about not sleeping. Then, as another example of ironic processes, the more important it becomes that you must sleep and the more you strive to make yourself go to sleep, the less readily you fall asleep. For occasional insomnia, accept that it's okay if you stay up, it's okay if you "just rest," and it's okay if you're tired and not at your best tomorrow.
- "Predictability diminishes worry by increasing our sense of power, even if the predictions are dire." (Hallowell)
- "The certainty of misery is better than the misery of uncertainty." (Pogo the cartoon character from the 1960's) For example, some people who have for many years lived in consuming fear of cancer only to develop cancer have commented that dealing with the reality of cancer is actually easier than dealing with the uncertainty that they might get cancer.
- Worry as manifest in various disorders: (Shearer & Gordon, 2006)
Strategies for Reducing Chronic Worry or Rumination:
- Reframe most thoughts as "cerebral noise" or "mind junk" rather than important data that must be examined carefully. Distinguish "good" and "bad" worry whenever possible. Don't be your own worst enemy by indulging yourself in worries and by rationalizing your continuing to do so as if you could think your way to feeling better.
- Learn to accept the presence of a worried thought without having to take it so seriously and without having to get rid of it. How do you (overtly and covertly) value and seek worry? How do you worry about worry and (overtly and covertly) try to avoid it? In other words, how do you get locked into a vicious circle of (overt and covert) approach and avoidance or reassurance-seeking?
- Try using "scheduled worry" periods. Instead of indulging your worries by giving them your full attention whenever they intrude or by trying to avoid them, set up two or three 15-20 minute periods per day when you give your worries your complete attention. When worries intrude at other times during the day, try to defer them to your next scheduled worry period.
- Learn mindfulness meditative techniques that encourage being a passive observer of worried thoughts rather than having to be an active participant in the worrying process. For example, picture your worried thought written on a banner pulled by an airplane and watch it fly around your mind without reacting to it; or, picture your worries as bubbles that burst as they rise into your consciousness; or, picture your worries as sticks in a stream. (See Kabat-Zinn)
- Seek cognitive therapy that focuses on common cognitive distortions that fuel worry. Learn de-fusion skills to give yourself a degree of separation from recurrent worry content.
- Examine irrational beliefs that often underpin worry, such as: "The world should be fair and just." "I must be liked by everyone." "To be worthwhile, I must be thoroughly competent & exceptional." "I should be free of pain, hassle or discomfort at all times." "I cannot bear it when things are not as I would like them to be." "I can avoid misfortune by worrying."
- Strive to relinquish the need for control and certainty. The quest for both may seem irresistible and compelling at the moment, but, over time, it is entirely futile and merely perpetuates worry.
- Try methods to dampen bodily and cognitive mobilization. However, remember that your goal is to do such things while worried thoughts still rattle around your mind, not to do such things so effectively that you somehow eliminate worried thoughts! Learn relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing skills. Practice prayer, mindfulness, meditation or inspirational readings. Take a yoga class or use a yoga videotape regularly. Exercise or dance. Get a massage. Listen to your favorite music. Cultivate humor in yourself and others; rent a funny movie. Always have in progress a book that you enjoy reading. Converse with a confidant. Keep a journal. Keep a record of irrational worries and rational rejoinders. Minimize stimulants; minimize alcohol. Use a rocking chair. Learn and practice good sleep hygiene. Contribute your time and energy to someone else. Make healthy relationships your priority--if not now, when?
- Have a plan for action--not the "right plan" or the "perfect plan"--just a reasonable plan. What is the perceived threat to your vital interests? How are you vulnerable? Do you really have the facts? One can't escape one's own imagination or run away from what "could" happen. Arousal of the "fight or flight" response with no place to go leads to "freeze" (i.e., inhibition of action). Once you have a plan, don't keep checking on it--store it. In general, some kind of action is usually preferable to spinning your wheels. Likewise, some kind of large muscle activity is usually better than thinking even more. You are very, very unlikely to think your way to feeling better.
- Learn to take a mindful approach to moment-to-moment living: 1. Stay in the here-and-now instead of "catastrophizing" and "what-ifing" about what could happen. (Try focusing on your senses, your actions, and your surroundings in the moment.) 2. Stay in the here-and-now instead of dwelling on the past. (Ruminating about the past tends to evoke and perpetuate a depressed mood.) 3. Temper an aversive here-and-now by "putting yourself into" something positive remembered in your past or envisioned in your future. (Do so not to get rid of worry, but to put it into better perspective.)
- Ask yourself these questions when you're stuck in worry mode: "What's the evidence?" "Am I trying to control things that I can't possibly control?" "Am I trying to answer unanswerable questions?" "Am I overestimating the risk the way I usually do?" "Will this even matter to me next year, next month or even next week?" "On my death bed, will I regret not having worried more about this?"
- Notice the mistakes you tolerate or excuse in others and give yourself the same latitude. Do not rationalize your perfectionism as a virtue. Instead of perfection, give yourself permission to strive for consistent adequacy punctuated by occasional mistakes.
- Look for what is good in your life: "Just imagine how happy you'd be if you lost everything you have right now… and then got it all back ." (Bertrand Russell) And remember a second Bertrand Russell quote: " The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." So it's okay to have doubts and worries--just try not to take them so seriously.
- Try to see your worry as one small data point in the larger continuum of your life or as one small wave in the ocean of humanity: "That ain't but a zit on the face of time." (Unknown)
Further Reading: Worries, Rumination and Obsessions
Carbonell, D. The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It , 2016.
Leahy, R. The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You , 2006.
Craske, M & Barlow, D. Mastery of Your Anxiety and Worry: Workbook , 2006.
Wadstrom, O. Quit Ruminating and Brooding: It is easier to do with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) , 2015.
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** Furthermore, persistent magical rumination can manifest a strong desire to practice and experiment with magic. **Individuals may spend substantial amounts of time performing rituals, casting spells, and attempting to harness magical powers. This intense focus on magic can sometimes lead to neglecting other important aspects of life, such as work, family, and self-care.** Although persistent magical rumination may be seen as a positive trait by some, as it reflects a deep passion for magic and a desire to explore its potential, it is important to note that excessive rumination can have negative consequences. **An individual's obsession with magic may create unrealistic expectations, fuel anxiety or depression, and distract them from dealing with real-life challenges.** To manage persistent magical rumination, individuals can strive to strike a balance between their magical pursuits and other important aspects of life. **Recognizing the need for self-care, maintaining social connections, and setting boundaries with magic-related activities can help in creating a healthier and more fulfilling way of engaging with the magical realm.** Seeking support from like-minded individuals, joining magical communities, or seeking guidance from experienced practitioners can also provide a helpful outlet for discussing and sharing magical interests, thus alleviating some of the obsessive tendencies. In conclusion, persistent magical rumination is a mental state characterized by continuous thoughts, contemplations, and obsessions about magical concepts and practices. **While it indicates a strong interest in magic, it is crucial to maintain a balance and manage the negative aspects of excessive rumination. By finding ways to integrate magic into a well-rounded life, individuals can experience the joy and fulfillment that the magical realm has to offer, while also prioritizing their overall well-being and happiness.**.
Reviews for "Fostering Resilience Through Persistent Magical Rumination"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I didn't enjoy "Persistent Magical Rumination" as much as I had hoped. While the concept of magical rumination sounded intriguing, the execution fell short. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a clear direction. I found myself confused and unengaged with the characters and their motivations. Overall, this book was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Persistent Magical Rumination" was not my cup of tea. It was overly convoluted and difficult to follow. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their writing skills rather than creating a cohesive and enjoyable story. I struggled to connect with the characters and found myself losing interest in the book. I regret wasting my time on this confusing and pretentious piece of literature.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Persistent Magical Rumination," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The storytelling was disjointed, and the plot lacked a clear structure. I was constantly left confused and trying to piece together what was happening. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. This novel had potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me.