The "split" in our larger culture mirrors our own internal psychological split, and can leave us oscillating between rage and depression. Compassion isn't enough: we are called to deeper work now.
Thank you for this thoughtful exploration of opposites in US. I had a dream recently of 2 opposite (in my mind) public figures. One was the height of disgust and harm and the other was a picture of creative genius, using talents for love and positive messages. I had a completely different take initially, but the more I thought from a Jungian perspective, the more I (to my own shock and dismay) realized that I had the potential of both within me. It has been something I have been chewing on for weeks now, and still have not completely understood in my own context. Something that has helped, however, is a recent training I’ve been going through -ISP (Integral Somatic Psychology). ISP uses a process of embodying emotions and integrating them using the support of our WHOLE BODY. For more info- I highly suggest the book The Practice of Embodying Emotions by Raja Selvam, PhD. I have already seen it transform my own life and the lives of many clients (I’m a mental health therapist) to hold hard emotions and opposites in a more tolerable way.
Once again, thank you, and May we all continue to grow in our ability to see nuance, think critically, hold the tension of the opposites, and love more than ever before! 💜
Hi Ella! Thanks so much for your own share here. I'm struck by those images in your dream-- such a powerful way to experience those internal potential opposites! It sounds like you're doing really incredible work. I appreciate the recommendations; I'm not terribly familiar with ISP and it's always wonderful to know more about other modalities.
Grateful for your participation in this experience together online-- always so helpful for me to hear other perspectives and to know what others are feeling and thinking, too. So many good wishes your way! 💚
"I don't know how to hold these opposites." I feel this too, being honest with the struggle and tension is uncomfortable to sit with. Thank you for articulating this.
I laughed about the yoga story. I have more than once driven like a bat outta hell to a yoga class where my mat reminds me to breathe my way to "yoga bliss". Seeing this behavior in myself could bring on a spiral of self-punishment and hatred of all that is human. Or, I could laugh at the ridiculousness of this pattern until I am able to see the violence I am engaging in (to myself and everyone else on the road) to get to that place of peace. I am perceived by almost everyone I know as wise and compassionate. I behave this way (on the outside) because I had to in order to survive the cruelty of my mother. But on the inside the beast is pissed! And hiding her is not working. In fact, my race car driving points to the fact that she is not hiding at all, she is just waiting for permission to strike. My menopausal mission in this life is to make the decision not to kill her (or anyone else), which means admitting to myself that my 'perfected personality' is a performance to an audience who no longer exists. I had to be perfect. I get that. I am tired, so tired, of the act. The lonely girl and the raging beast are waiting for me backstage. I thought perhaps someone else would come and take care of these two. Turns out it's me who was supposed to do that (which is just the way it is when you get a mother who can't love). If I don't do it now when will I? It's time to walk off stage, scoop them up, and head home, together. I have a feeling the streets will be safer for all of us as a result.
Hey Amy! Thanks so much for sharing these reflections— so much wisdom in what you’re saying. I am always so inspired by the ways that others work with their own history and inner landscape. I love what you say about that “perfected personality” being a performance to an audience who no longer exists. How many of us are still walking the stage doing the same thing? Brilliantly said. Grateful to you for your work and your honest shares here. 💜
Hi Laura, Thanks for your reply. Your writing touches me. Maybe it's the intersection between the teachings and the living of the teachings- one step on the path, one step off the path, and back on, and off the path until... i know the ride is the point, but sometimes its hard to keep laughing :)
I truly appreciate this post. What better to uncover our internal opposites than our own experiences of road-rage? My goodness. I needed this post this morning. Thank you!
I had a similar experience of feeling this sense of perhaps betrayal from someone I had admired. I was just confused at how they could engage in their scope of practice with what seemed like to me to be foundational miscalculations of the human experience.
Thank you for this thoughtful exploration of opposites in US. I had a dream recently of 2 opposite (in my mind) public figures. One was the height of disgust and harm and the other was a picture of creative genius, using talents for love and positive messages. I had a completely different take initially, but the more I thought from a Jungian perspective, the more I (to my own shock and dismay) realized that I had the potential of both within me. It has been something I have been chewing on for weeks now, and still have not completely understood in my own context. Something that has helped, however, is a recent training I’ve been going through -ISP (Integral Somatic Psychology). ISP uses a process of embodying emotions and integrating them using the support of our WHOLE BODY. For more info- I highly suggest the book The Practice of Embodying Emotions by Raja Selvam, PhD. I have already seen it transform my own life and the lives of many clients (I’m a mental health therapist) to hold hard emotions and opposites in a more tolerable way.
Once again, thank you, and May we all continue to grow in our ability to see nuance, think critically, hold the tension of the opposites, and love more than ever before! 💜
Hi Ella! Thanks so much for your own share here. I'm struck by those images in your dream-- such a powerful way to experience those internal potential opposites! It sounds like you're doing really incredible work. I appreciate the recommendations; I'm not terribly familiar with ISP and it's always wonderful to know more about other modalities.
Grateful for your participation in this experience together online-- always so helpful for me to hear other perspectives and to know what others are feeling and thinking, too. So many good wishes your way! 💚
Loved this honest and thoughtful piece. Important stuff for all of us to explore, for sure 🤍
Thanks, Laura! Appreciate that so much.
"I don't know how to hold these opposites." I feel this too, being honest with the struggle and tension is uncomfortable to sit with. Thank you for articulating this.
Thanks, as always, Anne-- the discomfort is less in good company! 🫂
Thank you for this, Laura. I had all those same feelings towards the McGilchrist piece yesterday. 😮💨 Sending you love.
Oof, so painful/weird/hard! Thank you, Satya-- 💚
I laughed about the yoga story. I have more than once driven like a bat outta hell to a yoga class where my mat reminds me to breathe my way to "yoga bliss". Seeing this behavior in myself could bring on a spiral of self-punishment and hatred of all that is human. Or, I could laugh at the ridiculousness of this pattern until I am able to see the violence I am engaging in (to myself and everyone else on the road) to get to that place of peace. I am perceived by almost everyone I know as wise and compassionate. I behave this way (on the outside) because I had to in order to survive the cruelty of my mother. But on the inside the beast is pissed! And hiding her is not working. In fact, my race car driving points to the fact that she is not hiding at all, she is just waiting for permission to strike. My menopausal mission in this life is to make the decision not to kill her (or anyone else), which means admitting to myself that my 'perfected personality' is a performance to an audience who no longer exists. I had to be perfect. I get that. I am tired, so tired, of the act. The lonely girl and the raging beast are waiting for me backstage. I thought perhaps someone else would come and take care of these two. Turns out it's me who was supposed to do that (which is just the way it is when you get a mother who can't love). If I don't do it now when will I? It's time to walk off stage, scoop them up, and head home, together. I have a feeling the streets will be safer for all of us as a result.
Hey Amy! Thanks so much for sharing these reflections— so much wisdom in what you’re saying. I am always so inspired by the ways that others work with their own history and inner landscape. I love what you say about that “perfected personality” being a performance to an audience who no longer exists. How many of us are still walking the stage doing the same thing? Brilliantly said. Grateful to you for your work and your honest shares here. 💜
Hi Laura, Thanks for your reply. Your writing touches me. Maybe it's the intersection between the teachings and the living of the teachings- one step on the path, one step off the path, and back on, and off the path until... i know the ride is the point, but sometimes its hard to keep laughing :)
That means so much to hear, Amy! Thank you. I hear you so much. Glad to be in community here and sharing the emotions- up and down! 😂😭🥰
I truly appreciate this post. What better to uncover our internal opposites than our own experiences of road-rage? My goodness. I needed this post this morning. Thank you!
Aw, thanks Mary! Road rage is a real teacher 😂! Sending you so many good thoughts— I’m always asking my brother about you!
I had a similar experience of feeling this sense of perhaps betrayal from someone I had admired. I was just confused at how they could engage in their scope of practice with what seemed like to me to be foundational miscalculations of the human experience.
I feel that, Alex!