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The concepts of internal and external usually refer to spatial happenings. In what sense do we use them when we speak of psychical processes? This question, however abstract and unnecessary it may appear, is of vital importance for a proper formulation of the problem. At first sight one can think that the concept of space, and therefore those of external and internal, has nothing to do with psychical processes. In fact, such an impression is wrong. We must reflect why.
It is easy to verify that this notion is used, in a simple way, in everyday language. Examples:
‘We carry our beloved ones within our hearts.’
‘After suffering this injustice I felt disconcerted and depressed. Then I gradually became aware that a tremendous rage had begun to accumulate in me.’
‘I am filled with love and admiration for you.’
‘I am not so gullible1 as to accept your story as true.’
‘I find that the subject you are explaining is very difficult for me to digest.’
‘He speaks of things he has read a lot about but obviously he has not understood; it is undigested reading.’
‘When you are near Mary you live and breathe in an atmosphere of love.’ Note that this suggests the notion of ‘inhaling’ and ‘exhaling’ love. Otherwise one would have said ‘you feel her loving nature’, etc.
‘I had to get rid of this feeling and express it outside myself in actions.’