What's the difference between denial and not thinking about something?

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what’s the difference between denial and not thinking about something?

For instance, people often say that “if it you don’t mind x, then x doesn’t matter”. But when does this become self-denial? Perhaps it is self-denial when x does matter but then you don’t mind it. However, this opens up inconveniences, for instance, when people are convinced that they are really having lustful thoughts, they sometimes cannot escape them except by claiming that they aren’t having them. The same applies to fear of the dark in children; for children can only avoid their fears by not minding them though they matter.
But then these examples would be vices of self-denial and lying. So where does one draw the line?
 
I’m not totally sure what you mean. But here’s my :twocents:

When bad, sinful thoughts come into my mind, I immediately pray. Even if it’s a short two second “please forgive me God, I don’t mean these thoughts”.

When something unpleasant that I can’t change happens, I will just complete the task and pretend to myself that I don’t know how disturbing it is.

Was that helpful?
 
I’m not totally sure what you mean. But here’s my
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When bad, sinful thoughts come into my mind, I immediately pray. Even if it’s a short two second “please forgive me God, I don’t mean these thoughts”.
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When something unpleasant that I can’t change happens, I will just complete the task and pretend to myself that I don’t know how disturbing it is.
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Was that helpful?
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Well I’m asking when does “I don’t mind” turn into “I didn’t do that even though I did” and under what conditions is the latter statement evil?

After all, if children have scary thoughts but overcome them by saying that they aren’t having thoughts this would be formally the same as saying “I didn’t do that even though I did” but would saying that be a lie, that is, sinful?
 
fakename said:
what’s the difference between denial and not thinking about something?

For instance, people often say that “if it you don’t mind x, then x doesn’t matter”. But when does this become self-denial? Perhaps it is self-denial when x does matter but then you don’t mind it. However, this opens up inconveniences, for instance, when people are convinced that they are really having lustful thoughts, they sometimes cannot escape them except by claiming that they aren’t having them. The same applies to fear of the dark in children; for children can only avoid their fears by not minding them though they matter.
But then these examples would be vices of self-denial and lying. So where does one draw the line?
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Modern Catholic Dictionary:

SELF-DENIAL. The act or practice of giving up some legitimate satisfaction for the sake of some higher motive.
 
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thistle:
SELF-DENIAL. The act or practice of giving up some legitimate satisfaction for the sake of some higher motive.
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I’m using self-denial in the sense of lying to oneself.
 
I don’t even know what that means!
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are you familiar with the phrase “in denial”? That’s what I mean by self-denial, that is, I mean one is lying to one self.

In any case, just replace the phrase"self-denial" with the phrase" lying to oneself" and you’ll understand my meaning.
 
fakename said:
are you familiar with the phrase “in denial”? That’s what I mean by self-denial, that is, I mean one is lying to one self.

In any case, just replace the phrase"self-denial" with the phrase" lying to oneself" and you’ll understand my meaning.
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In denial and self denial are totally different things.
 
In denial and self denial are totally different things.
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when one lies to oneself, then one denies oneself or self-denies.

nonetheless however, do you or someone have an answer to the question?
 
Do you mean something like a mantra?

I might have a lustful thought and say to myself “I am not having a lustful thought!”. This would be a mantra intended to create a real change and bring about it’s goal, that of ridding me of the lustful thought.

In much the same way, a child might lie in bed and say to themself “I am not afraid of the dark!”. Again, the intent is to bring about that very change, not to deceive oneself.

I don’t think such mantras are lies or self deceit. They are mental excercises intended to bring about the given aspiration.
 
fakename said:
when one lies to oneself, then one denies oneself or self-denies.

nonetheless however, do you or someone have an answer to the question?
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“what’s the difference between denial and not thinking about something?”

Everything. Denial is something done after thought. Not thinking about something means there is nothing on your mind to deny or confirm.
 
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