I had the joy of taking my 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Persia, to her first movie this past weekend. Watching “Inside Out 2” brought back the novelty of life, art, and simple indulgences that I often take for granted at 46. My first in-theater movie experience was “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which sparked an obsession with film that crescendoed earlier in my youth with “Cobra,” starring Sylvester Stallone. To think that in most metropolitan areas, strange groups of people from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds were having secret meetings to celebrate random murder with axes was quite strange. And the only justice coming for them was a man who cut his pizzas with scissors, never reloaded, drove a $100K car, and murdered at will all who resisted arrest. Ahh, the 80s…
Movie Summary: “Inside Out 2”
“Inside Out 2” continues to explore the inner workings of the human mind, focusing on the birth of new emotions and the complexities they bring. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are joined by new characters, each representing different aspects of our emotional spectrum. The film beautifully illustrates how our core memories and emotions shape our identities and influence our actions.
Evolution of Anxiety and Vision
The film got me thinking about the evolution of anxiety. Our ancient relationship with fear and anxiety began when the first land creatures developed enhanced vision. This new ability to see threats from greater distances changed our survival mechanisms, introducing early components of cognition. Fear became a rapid response to visual stimuli, giving rise to more sophisticated thought processes, speculation, and decision-making. The perception of time, enabled by advanced vision, created more complex cognitive processes, allowing early humans to anticipate and plan based on their environment.
Culture as Software and the Brain as Hardware
“Inside Out 2” raises interesting questions about free will and the notion of a self pulling the switches behind our eyes. This idea, reminiscent of Judeo-Christian concepts of the soul, contrasts with the Buddhist approach of non-duality. It suggests that our sense of self and volition might be more automated than we realize. This theme resonated with me as I pondered the complexities of our mental processes.
Culture can be seen as software, while our brains are the hardware that downloads this cultural “software,” complete with its virtues and flaws. Substance use disorder (SUD) can be viewed as a way for some individuals to take action against the perceived fraud, hypocrisy, and dichotomy of society and its dualistic culture. It’s a response to the conflicts and contradictions within the cultural software we download and operate.
Personal Reflection and Parenting
As someone in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), anxiety has always been a prior condition to my addiction. Watching “Inside Out 2” reminded me of the importance of addressing and resolving the pain caused by anxiety. My goal as a parent is to be authentic about my inner life and emotions, providing a stable and loving environment for Persia. By observing and understanding my mind, I hope to be a good parent who can guide her through her own emotional journey.
For the first two preverbal years of a human’s life, I could see how Persia’s consciousness was an open hood. She was almost a mirror to all of my emotions when in proximity, reflecting my state of mind. This is how brain development, mirror neurons, and communication work at this stage. It’s aptly referred to as attunement—if I am in tune, she is in tune, like a piano. This attunement is the trade-off for our remarkable intelligence as humans. Parents are needed for a child’s defenses for much longer and influence them much more abundantly than any previous mammal. In this regard, we are basically born with much larger heads/brains and need longer protection.
This opportunity cost for superior intellects necessitates strong parental bonds, healthy attachment, and limited trauma during the first years of development. My best acts in parenting thus far involve recognizing my own anxiety and obsessions for safety. Seeing how anxiety arises initially as a sensation that prompts thoughts and deeper plans for safety, I can pinpoint exactly when it grows into rumination. I stay cautious not to let this overbearing anxiety dampen Persia’s fun. I like only telling her the truth about most topics and want her to grow in an environment that processes emotions. Emotions keep us true to the most interesting part of being human—they act as an entire motivation system that is quite complex and easily miswired.
My own upbringing contrasts starkly with the environment I strive to provide for Persia. My mother nurtured me through shared experiences of film and fiction, allowing us to connect emotionally. In stark contrast, my father, who may have been pathological, was found hiding weapons in cereal boxes. This disparity highlights how profound and swift generational trauma can be addressed and overcome when one is willing to confront the illusion of self from a non-dualistic approach.
Conclusion
“Inside Out 2” is a beautiful film that breaks down core memories, identity, and the role of emotions in shaping our lives. It highlights the significance of understanding our mental processes and the impact of emotions on our actions. For those in recovery, it serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing underlying issues like anxiety and trauma. By doing so, we can better navigate our journey to recovery and be present for our loved ones.
References for Grief Work
- Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
- Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Meaning Reconstruction & the Experience of Loss. American Psychological Association.
- Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Stroebe, W. (2007). Health outcomes of bereavement. The Lancet, 370(9603), 1960-1973.
- Parkes, C. M., & Prigerson, H. G. (2010). Bereavement: Studies of Grief in Adult Life. Penguin Books.
- Bonanno, G. A. (2009). The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss. Basic Books