Waking Up to the Unconscious
As I was walking along the sidewalk upon the return from a longer walk in the countryside, this little bird was huddling in the protection of the tree, closer to the calm centre. Often, we do the same thing, we retreat from the buffeting winds of the outer world for the presumed safety of the shadows. Do we necessarily know what we are really doing when we do this, or is it just an instinctual respone?
Robert Johnson has an interesting point of view:
When we experience inexplicable conflicts that we can’t resolve; when we become aware of urges in ourselves that seem irrational, primitive or destructive; when a neurosis afflicts us because of our conscious attitudes are at odds with our instinctual selves – then we begin to realize that the unconscious is playing a role in our lives and we need to face it. (Johnson, Inner Work, 1986, p. 5)
I found this quote which I had highlighted in my copy of this book this morning, the first thing that caught my eye. Synchronicity? Perhaps. Why do I suggest synchronicity? Well, if you have been following the posts and the comments, you will have found that some of my posts are in response to the comments. I had no intention of deliberately responding to one of the latest comments through a post, but it somehow began to emerge. First, the photo. Retreat into a safe place, an assumed safe place. Only, it isn’t so safe at all as in this shadow zone, one is not alone at all. The ghosts, shadows and memories crowd into this safe place making it seem more a prison than a safe container.
Waking up to the unconscious is something can disable the psyche, especially if one is not also strong in the outer world. The best strategy when in this position is to find a guide. Of course, I am biased and would suggest that one find a qualified, certified Jungian analyst. Why? Well, this allows one to remain in charge and not become an obedient follower. In my opinion, this is the best and safest route to take when attempting to become a whole person, a healed person with a healed soul.
Very reflective!
I know that the 9 mos. I spent helping my father in palliative care, I huddled at home the rest of the day. It was all I could do!
JennJilks
13 Oct 09 at 8:07 PM
It makes me reflect also about my present condition. i need a guide. somehow i find mine retreating into the comforts of my bedroom, sleeping, reading into what i want to be inspite of what i have at the present or blogging and reading blogs just like now.
i love your pictures also. one day i can take photos like that.
Cor
13 Oct 09 at 8:44 PM
Thanks for your comment, Jenn. Sometimes doing what is needed takes all of our energies leaving us almost empty, requiring that we retreat into the shadows for rest.
Robert G. Longpré
13 Oct 09 at 8:44 PM
But you know, Cor, the answers lie within. I gave my worries up to the universe and low and behold, a solution came.
BTW
Shout Out, http://myreflectionsmusings.blogspot.com/
JennJilks
14 Oct 09 at 6:52 AM
Thank you, for this is a wonderful post and a beautiful picture. Almost as if I were looking myself in a mirror.
More than a guide, sometimes I think that I need a Family to adopt me. Or not. I don´t know.
I saw (I heard in the distance), I think it was last Friday or Saturday night, a babycat, a black babycat crying in the street.
Oh God … I went there, tied my great dane on a tree, and tried to stay there so to make the baby kitten to approach to me whenever he wanted.
He was so small and he was weeping and shaking. My dog was looking at the scene in Silence. He is fine with a little cat, very gentle, yet, I was preferring to approach to the little cat alone first.
And he came to me. And, though I understand nothing about cats, I think he thought I was his mother because, when he was close to me, he tried to feed himself.
I stayed there for some moments. I couldn´t take him with me. This is not my house. And I had no one to ask for help. No friends fond of taking him. No friends.
I cannot take them all even if this were my house.
But I could have taken that one.
I would have liked to take that one. I would have liked so much.
But it would have been unrespectful toward the person I am living with. And when there are people at the house, I have to keep my dog with me in my little bedroom. So imagine with one cat also.
And my mind keep saying than a better person would have done something for the little black kitten.
And then I go back in the time, and I say to myself that I should have taken him. No matter the consecuences. No matter what.
He was so small, and vulnerable. And probably he died.
You see how bad I can be?
You see how bad is Life sometimes? How unfair?
And he was so beautiful, and I was so awful I didn´t take him with me.
It´s true that I cannot take them all. It´s true that some (All) are meant to dye. Yes. But “that one” came to me for a reason. He appeared there and I should have take him. He was mine.
I wish I would have been with a protector. With someone to help me to help him.
When I was really sick, I tried to escape from here, from where I am living, and I drove myself (and my dog) to very dangerous and difficult situations. So I´m not a coward. I tried. And I couldn´t that time.
Maybe I´m still sick. I mean, maybe I´m still conditioned by what has been my life situation for almost my whole life. Maybe I am already following a theraphy imposed by Life. Maybe I am mean to be exactly what I am (including my Life situation, plus all trraumas, and conditioned thoughts). Maybe I have to fully accept myself even with my limitations. No matter if I am not what “I” may consider as perfect.
Maybe I have to dare instead of going on living as a Hermit. Unconsciously I know that I am a hermit. “How can a hermit like “you” live in the world, girl?” -my mind says.
“You are better where you are”, (is that what my mind is saying?)
Or “Go to a monastery or something like that. No one is going to Love you and accept you the way you are. You are better off. Can´t you see how difficult is living with you? You are meant to live alone. To be alone. You do not know how to be with people. You can´t”
Love
14 Oct 09 at 8:16 AM
It’s not about other people loving you, it is about loving yourself. Is there a Jungian analyst near your home?
Robert G. Longpré
14 Oct 09 at 8:52 AM
I just found a Jungian analyst, or guide. I’m looking forward to working with him as I am dealing with a lot of those conflicts right now. He told me that when he was 47, my current age, that he went through a lot of the same things. He said that sometime between 45 and 50, or so, it is a very difficult time for people. The beginning of the second half of life.
Paul
14 Oct 09 at 9:57 AM
For many years now I’ve been working with my dreams to resolve an inner conflict which goes back two decades. Yet some time ago I was thinking about visiting a Jungian analyst because I felt there was an essential element missing in most of my dream interpretations. However, instead of doing that, I went to Ireland to live in solitude for two weeks in a Carmelite hermitage.
During those two weeks I did a 3-day vision quest in the barren mountains nearby. The confrontation was hard (I already wanted to return the moment I arrived at my little spot). Although at the time I was constantly asking myself what I was doing there in the cold bog, this experience gave me a heightened sense of trust and hope in the Great Mystery we call Life. Life is the great teacher, the ultimate guide. If we open ourselves up to the unconscious, to Life, if we try to make a genuine gesture towards the Great Unknown, Life will reward us with a little push to get back on the road, the one thing which is exactly needed at that moment. At least, that was my personal experience.
Perhaps visiting a Jungian analyst might further deepen the understanding of my dreams, but all the knowledge of the world does not seem enough to actually facilitate healing or inner growth. A gesture must perhaps be made towards the Great Unknown, so the true source of healing can come from something deeper, something beyond the tentacles of our conscious control.
anamchara4
14 Oct 09 at 10:36 AM
The question “Can one do the work, the Inner Work, without a Jungian analyst?” is best answered “Of course! Jung did it and others do it, others did it before Jungian analysis appeared on the scene. Yet, for many, it does help to have a guide. Welcome AnamChara.
Robert G. Longpré
14 Oct 09 at 11:17 AM
Good for you! I will be looking forward to hear of your continued journey.
Robert G. Longpré
14 Oct 09 at 11:21 AM
I know, I was just talking about the stories that my mind sometimes tells me and I believe in when not alert enough.
And no, there isn´t any Jungian analyst near. Anyway I doubt I could pay for it!
Love
15 Oct 09 at 6:03 AM