Self-sabotage, the bane of personal progress, often manifests in subtle yet impactful ways. It is the voice in our heads that whispers doubt, fear and criticism at the most inconvenient times—hindering our path to success.

While traditionally viewed as a conscious act (or inaction), psychologist Shirzad Chamine challenges this notion, suggesting that self-sabotage runs deeper, lurking within our psyche. Through his theory of positive intelligence, Chamine outlines the complexities of self-sabotage while providing a pathway to liberation.

By understanding the neuropsychological underpinnings of our “inner saboteurs” and channeling the wisdom we hold within ourselves, we can transcend our self-imposed limitations and unlock our full potential.

Chamine’s research outlines how, within the intricate circuitry of our brains, there are distinct regions that govern our responses to life’s challenges:

At the core of Chamine’s theory are the inner saboteurs, universal archetypes that live within our surviving regions. Chief among the saboteurs is “the judge”—our relentless, critical inner voice that berates us for our failures and magnifies our anxieties. The judge is aided and abetted by our “accomplice saboteurs,” which differ for each person, in order to perpetuate varying cycles of self-sabotage:

Each accomplice saboteur brings its own set of challenges. Chamine highlights how the judge and its accomplices operate under the guise of self-preservation, convincing us that their critical voices are necessary for our growth and success. However, their grip on our psyche only serves to perpetuate negativity and gatekeep our own progress.

Counterbalancing the inner saboteurs is “the sage”–a source of wisdom and resilience that resides within each of us. According to........

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