In the child ‘omnipotence’ is appropriate, because she is innocent and helpless. Objectively the child is born in ignorance, knowing nothing, can do nothing for her self, and must learn gradually. In addition, all humans at birth have hereditary evil; this is latent in the baby and gradually comes into play. Evil is latent because a baby has not developed a conscience, the ability to discern between good and evil. The creator clothes the child in innocence so that it is adored and taken care of; and the child’s experiences of love and loving are stored as remains in her soul. These remains of love connect her to God, and temper the hereditary evil in her as she grows. These remains are an essential means of reception of good from the Lord through life, but the major work of life is to incorporate them into the adult self so we keep our connection to God and the ability to competent and care and give.
As adults we sometimes act out, otherwise known as regressing. When we regress, it is because we inwardly feel powerless, fear, or rage, so we reflexively return back to the feelings of childhood omnipotence for protection. These feelings are un-resourced, and so we act out. Childhood ‘omnipotence’ in the adult is by nature selfish, blind to others, and driven by survival. It is an automatic default setting inside for the sake of self-interest and protection. In any given episode as adults we may or may not have sophisticated ways of justifying it, but the quality and import of it is self-serving.
There is in regression, also, if we remain self aware, an opportunity. Regression points directly to the wounds within us that need development. If we react the same as in the past then there is no movement, but if we act with some measure of composure, we can learn and change the phantasy within our self to a good one in some measure.
Regression is also an opportunity because beneath the feelings of childhood omnipotence are remains – the stored feelings of innocence and love from childhood. These feelings are often felt as a sense of personal ‘specialness’, because deep down we want and feel a core of good about our selves that is seeking expression; ‘remains’ are in potential and need development and incorporation to the adult self. If felt and opened, remains can help us receive and submit to God as the true source of ‘specialness’. And in yielding to Him we feel joy, more our self. This provides the inner security to care for others as much or more than our selves (which is the cornerstone of society and religion).
Remains are in potential and need to be spiritually mined and thus incorporated into our will. This is spiritual remembering and imagining. God provides that remains are inside everyone, as a means of connecting with His will for our life. Every time we regress there is an opportunity to renew the unresolved issue in our self that cries out for attention and healing. God can only be approached in humility, and remains (‘like a child’) help us do this.Advertisers use the motivating energy of our need to sort out our omnipotent phantasies, and to believe in the good father and mother all the time. A good advertising campaign attempts to tap the primal spot where we live inside; this way they influence us to image satisfying our deepest drives with their product. Where advertisers put their money is a good litmus test of something’s veracity: by study and process of elimination they do what produces. They are acting from very practical motivation – the bottom line, maximum results, making money.One of the psychological means Advertisers use is to portray animals and objects talking and acting like humans. There is certain magic and delight kindled within us in seeing these absurd and exaggerated images. There are hundreds of examples of this on TV commercials and kids shows. We see talking animals, sponges, fruit, vegetables, and trees, constantly, and it never ceases to be funny! Recently, there has been a commercial of a humorous, straight-talking cow that tells the mom of a family what everyone is thinking when the mother shows up asking about her goofy clothes. The family is too afraid to say anything about it, but the sassy cow tells her like it is – that she has fallen into wearing ‘mom pants’. It is hilarious for many reasons. It portrays a way that we can feel safe to hear and express what is underneath and real. The cow represents the ‘phantastic’ mother being real, good, and refreshingly truthful to us; teaching us it is ok to express our most keen perceptions. The modeling of truth-speaking helps us move through a barrier of anxiety, which is a deeply satisfying inner achievement. This is joyful to us because it develops inner skill, and growth movement. We move from being subject-to our anxieties, to a creative agent.
Significantly, psychologists and Swedenborg write that all children up to a certain age believe that their play-animals and dolls are alive. This is part of what makes the above marketing strategy so powerful.
An example in pop culture of transferring omnipotence to God that appealed to millions of people was Tebowmania. You probably remember ‘Tebowing’ is the pose Tebow struck at important moments. After a great play, or after winning, or after losing, Tebow kneels on the ground with his head down, his knuckles to his forehead, closes his eyes, and prays. This is a potent image of transferring omnipotence to the good father. In this pose, after the mighty struggle to achieve, he submits to God, and thanks God. The act of kneeling itself is a bold, demonstrative act of humility and honor. It is like the knights of old who kneeled before the King.