“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift ”
Albert Einstein
Why talk about the soul in psychotherapy?
What exactly is the soul and why is it important to consider therapeutically? The world we are currently living in is going through an immense existential crisis. As old methods, structures, and reasoning are falling away, we are called to search for deeper meaning and understanding of our purpose in life. While this may seem overwhelming and even something left for the reflection of those more fortunate, with less problems, or more time, it affects us all. As the great psychoanalyst Carl Jung postulated, we are all connected at a deep soul level, each of us then creating together the world in which we find ourselves. The good news is that we do not have to carry the weight of the world on our individual shoulders, nor fix every problem and dilemma currently facing humanity. The simple truth is that all we need to do is pay attention to, and heal our own soul. This is the greatest gift any individual can do for themselves, their families and loved ones, and for future generations.
Each of us has our own unique soul that contains all that has been experienced on a conscious, subconscious, and unconscious level throughout many lifetimes. My experience of the soul transcends any concept or belief system that is bound by limitations, and is therefore free from the restraints of religious dogma. The soul exists as energy, as consciousness, at a frequency that is higher than the physically manifest form. It is that part of us that knows, that delicately whispers to our ego when we let go and listen to the heart. Ultimately, the soul wishes to reunite with unity consciousness; the limitless, joyful, unconditionally loving source from which it was created. The path towards this requires a willingness to confront all existing limitations that are preventing further growth. These limitations are often called the shadow, or hidden aspects of the psyche, and can become projected onto the external environment. The ego generally has some awareness of these limitations via the subconscious, and with a committed effort, can integrate and align them with the ultimate reunification desire of the soul.
The ego is the personality created in each lifetime to facilitate the growth of the soul as it interacts with the physical world. The ego is conscious, rational, and consists of conditioned thoughts, ideas, and belief structures that ultimately provide mental and emotional security. The ego has a very important purpose, but can be given too much power and authority if the rational mind is unable to listen to the callings of the soul. When these callings do emerge, they may seem uncertain, impossible, and just too momentous of a change. This creates fear and insecurity within the ego, which then seeks to defend and protect itself by utilising unhealthy coping mechanisms. These may take the form of denial, negative self-talk, over-thinking, procrastination, workaholism, perfectionism, self-harm, substance misuse, self-destructive behaviours, and many more. The result is an existence in which there is ongoing tension between the conscious needs of the ego, and the unconcious desires of the soul.
For various reasons, these limitations and blocks can be denied to such an extent that the personality becomes disconnected from the ultimate soul desire of reunification with source. This creates stagnation, futility, emptiness, and fragmentation, which can be experienced at a very deep soul level. The ego may experience crises, cataclysms, and shocks, not fully understanding why or simply feeling it is “bad luck,” which can create further futility and exhaustion. For some this can be a sign of entering the dark night (or waking up) of the soul; a painful process of growth and transition initiated by the soul for the purpose of developing necessary change and a deeper perception of reality. It may feel that everything in life is completely falling apart as egoic structures that previously provided purpose and meaning, now seem completely meaningless.
"And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
Anaïs Nin
Am I depressed or going through the dark night of the soul?
While there are similarities between symptoms of depression and the dark night of the soul, there are also marked differences. Feelings of sadness that are a normal reaction to life circumstances such as a loss, lack of a job, partner, or self-esteem, can be indicative of symptoms of depression. Difficulty focusing, sleeping, fatigue, and unworthiness also factor into low mood and depressive episodes. When someone recovers from depression, it is often due to circumstances changing for the better, and the feeling of life returning to how the individual wanted and expected it to be. During dark night of the soul all previous desires and expectations are completely obliterated, and the individual fundamentally changes on a deep level, emerging with very different values and perspectives on life. What previously provided meaning and purpose can now seem very empty and superficial, as soul consciousness and connection now fill the void of emptiness and despair.
When we are disconnected from our soul, we are disconnected from our inner guidance, joy, wisdom, and strength. We may feel very lost, frustrated, and abandoned. This can be alleviated by aligning the ego with the soul, through the re-integration of a deeper understanding and connection beyond egoic constructs and conditioning. The subconscious can be analogous of the bridge between the ego and the soul, and provides access to all memories, beliefs, and thought patterns that have been suppressed from conscious awareness. By bringing these to light in psychotherapy, change is possible; and the creation of more hope, wisdom, peace, and inner emotional security.
"The collective unconscious contains the whole spiritual heritage of mankind's evolution born anew in the brain structure of every individual"