February 14, 2026

Projection is a psychological process of seeing “out there” what is actually “in here.” It is easily recognized by its “footprint.” The script, “X is Y.” Expresses a projection in action. “You are beautiful.” “You are stupid.” “She/He/It/Them/They are (Fill in the blank) are all projections. Projections are about us and our perceptions. They are not about “them” and their indelible characteristics–and can be clarified by saying something on the order of “I think you are stupid/beautiful/etc.” Which we can follow up with internal questions including, “What is it about him/her/it that I find particularly attractive?” “Who does she/him/it remind me of?” etc.

Projections are waking dreams in that they are our way of calling our own attention to aspects of life that require our reflection leading us to new realizations about ourselves. It is our primary work to be engaged in seeing, hearing, understanding who we are and what we are to be about. Learning to recognize our mirrors and standing relentlessly before them are ever-present helps in seeing what’s what with us and doing what that calls for in terms of getting to the bottom of ourselves and seeing us as we are.