Synopsis

It is time to shine the light on our society’s critical approach to life and reevaluate if the approach is in fact working to bring us desirable results. There is overwhelming evidence that criticism is a destructive force. In the second chapter, I show why habitual criticism alone qualifies as a dangerous addiction. In the third chapter, I give examples of how this pervasive negative attitude has become a part of our everyday life, and I list symptoms of critical addiction. Part two of this book focuses on solutions and treatment plans. Part three offers Four Steps to Freedom, while part four explores the energy of consciousness—a new paradigm for understanding behavior that enables us to make major changes or shifts in consciousness more quickly and more easily.

Back Cover Copy

Critical addiction, a social disease we catch from others, is the underlying cause of all addictions and most social problems. Yet it sweeps our world unnoticed—creating an epidemic of immense proportion and leaving chaos in its wake! The roots of critical addiction are perpetuated through our Inner Critic, who finds fault with others and ourselves.

Breaking Free from Critical Addiction clearly explains causes and symptoms of critical addiction. Using the Four Steps to Freedom, it then offers relief from your Inner Critic’s tyranny. This mental detox prepares you to create a life you enjoy. After all, you can’t brew good coffee in a dirty pot! That’s the real secret.

Kalie Marino’s masterpiece paves the route to definitively dissolve individual and global self-defeating ways. With stories, physics, and age-old wisdom set to the tune of inner and external peace, be prepared for your Inner Critic to add an entirely new set of songs to its repertoire, all in the key of gratitude.

“Perhaps you are very familiar with your Inner Critic, but the two of you have never been properly introduced. Kalie aptly makes that introduction and then skillfully speaks to both of you throughout this book, inviting you to make peace with the mental roommate that pays no rent and was never really invited to stay in the first place. She invites you both to grab a seat and have a listen. It will change your world and the world of those around you.” – Pamela Maliniak

Kalie Marino, MSW, is a clinical social worker, interfaith minister, spiritual coach, respected leader in the field of personal growth, and popular public speaker. Her unusual background in quantum physics theory, psychology, and spirituality makes her uniquely qualified to share a practical perspective on creating personal and social transformation.

Addictive and Dangerous

Criticism is a guilty pleasure that, once indulged, attracts the user again and again like an addict to a drug. Whenever the critic feels down or has problems, he or she uses criticism like a drug to feel better. It gives the user a false sense of superiority or power over others, even though that power is purely destructive to others and themselves. Not only are they attracted to being critical of others to feel better, but because critical energy is negative, they attract criticism to themselves as well. This perpetuates a vicious, self-destructive cycle as they become the target of criticism from others, lowering their self-esteem and causing them to become even more critical.

Although criticism is not a substance, it is as addictive as any drug, and I propose that it poses a threat that is actually more insidious. Habitual criticism has all the characteristics of a drug:

• Criticism is habit forming.

• Criticism is mood altering.

• Criticism can be life threatening.

• Criticism distorts awareness.

• Criticism leads to destructive behavior.

• Criticism adversely affects mental and physical health.

It is truly a social disease that affects whole families, organizations, and societies. Like drug addiction, criticism affects everyone; it affects the person criticizing, the person being criticized, and the people around them.