Each year around this
time, many of us find ourselves reflecting on
the essence of giving. We wonder what we can
share that has meaning. As we scurry to the
shops with our best intentions, we might also
reflect on the many symbols we see before us
which can stimulate this deeper meaning our
souls are seeking. Take for instance the Christ
ARCHETYPE. An archetype is a term coined
by the father of analytical psychology, Carl
Jung. Jung described archetypes as "primordial
images" which present themselves in our
consciousness. They are "without known origin
and ... reproduce themselves in any time or in
any part of the world" (from Jung's book MAN AND
HIS SYMBOLS). Some examples of archetypes
include Mother, Father, Hero, Warrior and
Martyr. Understanding how we as humans pattern
ourselves after these images allows us to learn
from them rather than to become enmeshed in
them. For example, religious fanatics such as
Osama Bin Laden might feel they are carrying out
God's will by killing many people. Bin Laden
might be what Jung termed "in the grip of" the
Christ archetype, feeling he is a sort of SAVIOR
of his people.
The Christ is often
referred to mythologically as a DEPICTION of
Logos, or the Word. Over time, there have been
other depictions of Logos, but we will use the
Christ example here. (William Fix's book, LAKE
OF MEMORY RISING, provides thoughtful and
well-researched information on Logos and Christ
as Logos.) Jesus, the Christian incarnation of
the Christ archetype, taught his followers to
love God with all their heart, soul, and mind,
and others AS THEMSELVES (emphasis mine). This
is a classic example of what I have described,
above. For how can we share with others what
does not exist first within the self? If we are
giving from a dry well, so to speak, we are
depleting the source of our own vitality, and
wholeness cannot be maintained. More
importantly, we not only respond physically and
emotionally to other people, but we respond
SYMBOLICALLY. What we represent to one another
creates movement on a subtle level, both
positive and negative. We affect one another by
setting an example which others can and do
follow. Whether it is our children or our mates
or friends, we impact one another more than we
know.
Though challenging at
times, being kind and giving to ourselves sets
an important example. Most of us are brought up
as caretakers. We are raised, not necessarily to
make the WORLD a better place, but to provide
ease and comfort for others. As children, we
mostly lack a say in how things go. We learn
that giving others what they want and need
creates a reciprocal effect, not the other way
around. In other words, instead of being taught
to be kind to ourselves first, we give to the
EXCLUSION of ourselves. This unbalanced form of
giving eventually results in a tapped-out
individual who perhaps gives gladly but from a
place of lack. Universal law states that like
attracts like. Have we then created a society of
craving spirits, looking for love, acceptance
and fulfillment outside the self? Though this
model works well in a consumerist culture where
we often fill our aching souls with material
goods, it does not serve to salve our souls.
Over fifteen years of
practicing intuitive medicine, one thing I
continue to notice is the healing influence of
self love and acceptance. When a person learns
to care for the self, deeply care for and
cherish themselves, healing energy begins to
take root. What is it our souls need for food?
Usually it is some form of love. We want
acceptance from others. We crave touch. We reach
out to seek relationship with others, to find a
common source of understanding in our world. Yet
remember, like attracts like. If we are looking
for something that we cannot accept about
ourselves deep inside, our desires are not met.
Some of us even feel our prayers are not being
answered and that somehow Creator is treating us
unfairly. Perhaps we are bad people who simply
don't deserve better. It is at such challenging
times we do well to remind ourselves of Jesus'
words. We can learn to better love ourselves so
that we might foster wholeness. Symbolically we
can see wholeness as a circle. This circle
includes others in our world. When we contribute
love to the circle, love returns in kind. What
we give returns to us for the good of all.
Before making your New
Year's resolution, consider this. You can
succeed, even heal, with this simple commitment:
resolve to do one kind thing for yourself each
and every day. Practice kindness and forgiveness
on yourself. Ponder the meaning of kindness,
what it means to be deeply kind. If you
criticize others, examine your own inadequacies
and forgive yourself for them first. Resolve
each day to be a better person TO yourself and
ask Creator for help in doing this. You might
suddenly notice others responding to you
differently, and this can simply cause you to
smile inside as you continue your ongoing
commitment to a better way of life. Keep giving
to others, during and beyond this season of
giving. Remember that "charity begins at home,"
so include yourself in the circle of life and
watch the healing unfold.
