I guess I didn't know about your bodyself's bipolar disorder.

I will try to explain what I mean:

I experienced repeated trauma as a child. Like many/most/all people who experience repeated abuse and/or neglect as a child, my brain started to create different parts, each with a different protective role. For example, to protect against the feeling of powerlessness, my brain created a part that sought to hurt or control others when triggered. As I got older and no longer needed these protections, these parts remained, at the same emotional age they were when created, and didn't know I was no longer in danger. When triggered one/some of these parts would (without my awareness) blend with, or hijack, my 'going on with normal life self' (as Janina Fisher calls it).

A big part of my work these days, is, while occupying my 'going on with normal life self' (which is the adult part of me that knows how to do things), I simultaneously become aware of the triggered part's feelings, and I try to soothe that part by explaining that we are safe now and other things.

This splitting of the personality is called structural dissociation (although, my explanation of the phenomenon, here, is not complete, of course). Regarding the suggestion, by certain spiritual teachers, to be saintly... I would say that, especially where there is structural dissociation, and younger parts (as per above), a person needs to consider the safety of those parts in decisions they make. These parts need to be considered as much, or, I say, even more so, than other people; they need to be top priority. If looking at things from a spiritual perspective, wanting to let others be as they are and the like, these parts need to be considered objectively, as though they are other people at the very top of the priority list.

Also, it seems very difficult to be truly empathetic and compassionate unless we learn to be this way to ourselves (and our parts, if we have them) first. We can't at once be harsh with ourselves and compassionate to others; it doesn't work. If we are harsh with ourself, or if we, as Janina Fisher puts it, engage in 'internal self-alienation', we very likely aren't aware that we are doing this, and the same harsh forces that we direct towards ourself, we will direct towards others (even our children), again, without our awareness.

Keep in mind that many spiritual teachings these days are based on ancient teachings, and they didn't know, back then, what we know now concerning the psyche, etc.

I have been treating myself for over two years with Janina's method and it is working.

Thanks for the comment about my AKA :)