master of nothing

English translation: a feeling she could not master/be in control of anything

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:master of nothing
Selected answer:a feeling she could not master/be in control of anything
Entered by: Yvonne Gallagher

17:43 Feb 5, 2019
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: master of nothing
Hi,
I’m not sure about the meaning of "master of nothing" in the following passage. Teresa is a woman who had a traumatic childhood. Is this expression related to “jack of all trades, master of none”, in the sense that she felt she wasn’t good at anything? Or maybe it has a different meaning...
Thanks for your help!



Teresa began to experience a sense, briefly at first, of relief and being at ease with the Wheel practice. She used this daily routine to give her a sense of mastery in the face of the prior frequent feelings of being out of control and ** of being master of nothing **. As she continued to practice, she could feel a sense of joy, connection, and gratitude that at first she was scared to acknowledge for fear they would go away.
haribert
Local time: 09:47
yes, a feeling she could not master/be in control of anything
Explanation:
"prior frequent feelings of being out of control"

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Note added at 10 mins (2019-02-05 17:54:46 GMT)
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to master something means you are able to do something or in control of it or you are accomplished

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesaur...

https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/maste...

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jack_of_all_trades,_master_of...

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Note added at 15 mins (2019-02-05 17:59:05 GMT)
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Haribert what sort of Wheel is it? A wheel of awareness?


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Note added at 16 mins (2019-02-05 18:00:29 GMT)
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I think the fact it says that it gives her "a sense of relief" that it must be referring to some sort of mastery over her feelings and traumatic past?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2019-02-05 18:09:37 GMT)
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BTW when peope are depressed or traumatised they may often feel that they are "good for nothing" i.e. that they have nothing to offer

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Note added at 26 mins (2019-02-05 18:10:12 GMT)
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peopLe

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Note added at 44 mins (2019-02-05 18:28:42 GMT)
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ah OK. Here is a blurb and some reviews on the book that may give you some more descriptions to work with. [MY bolds]

https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/aware/

this book teaches readers how to harness the power of the principle "Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows." Siegel reveals how developing a Wheel of Awareness practice to focus attention, open awareness, and cultivate kind intention can literally help you grow a healthier brain and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in your life.

Whether you have no experience with a reflective practice or are an experienced practitioner, Aware is a hands-on guide that will enable you to become more focused and present, as well as more energized and emotionally resilient in the face of stress and the everyday challenges life throws your way. ...

"how to retrain and change our minds"

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Note added at 3 days 3 hrs (2019-02-08 21:01:18 GMT) Post-grading
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Glad to have helped
Selected response from:

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 08:47
Grading comment
Thank you so much, Yvonne, for your precious help!
I wish to thank also Vinicius and Didier for their contribution: I actually think that these concepts are "multifaceted" and your comments, too, have helped me understand it: sincere thanks to all of you.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +4yes, a feeling she could not master/be in control of anything
Yvonne Gallagher
4not being confident
Vinícius da Silva
3having no influence over anything
Didier Declercq (X)


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
not being confident


Explanation:
sugestion

Vinícius da Silva
Brazil
Local time: 05:47
Native speaker of: Portuguese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Vinicius, for your contribution!

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37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
having no influence over anything


Explanation:

Feelings of being out of control and not feeling able to change anything about it.

Psychologically, these are different (external and internal).

Didier Declercq (X)
Belgium
Local time: 09:47
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Didier, for your explanation!

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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
yes, a feeling she could not master/be in control of anything


Explanation:
"prior frequent feelings of being out of control"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2019-02-05 17:54:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

to master something means you are able to do something or in control of it or you are accomplished

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesaur...

https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/maste...

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jack_of_all_trades,_master_of...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2019-02-05 17:59:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Haribert what sort of Wheel is it? A wheel of awareness?


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2019-02-05 18:00:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I think the fact it says that it gives her "a sense of relief" that it must be referring to some sort of mastery over her feelings and traumatic past?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2019-02-05 18:09:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

BTW when peope are depressed or traumatised they may often feel that they are "good for nothing" i.e. that they have nothing to offer

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 26 mins (2019-02-05 18:10:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

peopLe

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 44 mins (2019-02-05 18:28:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ah OK. Here is a blurb and some reviews on the book that may give you some more descriptions to work with. [MY bolds]

https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/aware/

this book teaches readers how to harness the power of the principle "Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows." Siegel reveals how developing a Wheel of Awareness practice to focus attention, open awareness, and cultivate kind intention can literally help you grow a healthier brain and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in your life.

Whether you have no experience with a reflective practice or are an experienced practitioner, Aware is a hands-on guide that will enable you to become more focused and present, as well as more energized and emotionally resilient in the face of stress and the everyday challenges life throws your way. ...

"how to retrain and change our minds"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days 3 hrs (2019-02-08 21:01:18 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Glad to have helped

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 08:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 317
Grading comment
Thank you so much, Yvonne, for your precious help!
I wish to thank also Vinicius and Didier for their contribution: I actually think that these concepts are "multifaceted" and your comments, too, have helped me understand it: sincere thanks to all of you.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Yvonne! so maybe it is not strictly connected with "pratical" activities, in the sense of "good-for-nothingness"...

Asker: Yes, Yvonne, it is a reflective practice called "the Wheel of awareness" which is used by the author, Daniel Siegel, during psychotherapy... Thank you so much for your explanation! they will be very useful to me, because I'm trying to maintain the linguistic correspondence between "sense of mastery" and "master of nothing"...

Asker: As to your other question, yes, Teresa was psychologically and sexually abused as a child and as an adult she had serious relational problems, and also suffered from forms of dissociation

Asker: Thank you so much, Yvonne!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Yes, although in this instance she is 'mastering' a physical skill, the feeling of 'being in control' etc. of course carries over into her broader psychology.
8 mins
  -> Thanks:-) Yes, I think it has to do with her psychological feelings

agree  Jack Doughty
4 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)

agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
6 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)

agree  Thayenga: A feeling of helplessness in regards to controlling/mastering anything.
17 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)
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