Three ways to transform wounding

The image of a sailboat plotting its course across the open sea is a lovely metaphor to illustrate "the journey of the soul" in transpersonal therapy. Therapy often accompanies clients in calm waters of reflection and attentively helps them to steady their boat through occasionally treacherous and stormy weather. The mood of spiritual growth has a subtle energetic whisper in the therapeutic backdrop, and psychic shifts of perspectives are inevitable. The transformative component is echoed in the therapy room and complemented by the deepness – as well as closeness - in the relationship. Moreover, the dance in the therapy relationship captures the essence of the client’s experience in the outside world, allowing risk-taking in a safe place. A developmental part in the therapy work is the momentum to initiate self-esteem and risk-taking outside. In the equality and welcoming of difference, a recovery is shared and witnessed, leading to psychic connectivity with the once-alienated part of oneself.

The lighthouse symbolism of guiding ships to shore springs to mind when introducing the following interventions.

The wound

When considering wounding or trauma, allowing energetic attention to the person’s mind, body, and soul elements can aid in a more effective transformative recovery. More often than not, the mind element is the main focus causing mental fixation without the shift of accessing what the body and the soul knows. When talking about the soul, in this instance, I am referring to the heart and the emotional part of the self.

The struggle (dragon)

The struggle Carl Jung referred to as the archetypal hero’s quest is of facing his problem - his dragon. The struggle asks something of us and we can often be too close to see what is needed to engage and meet a growth potential. Having a trusting eye to offer some insight can be helpful in accessing one’s tools to successfully face the dragon. For me, an image of a shield protecting you from the dragon’s fiery blaze comes up when reflecting upon this intervention.

The healing

Giving the wound and the struggle attention will potentially transform how one relates to both parts of the process. Regardless of how subtle a movement will occur, it can be considered as a vital point of growth and a pathway to healing. Resistance may ensue and become an obstacle, but, with support, this can also be looked at as a growth opportunity.

Summary

We are our biggest teachers, and life often presents us with experiences to help us grow and develop. Frequently, we find ourselves locked in continuous patterns because we haven't fully realised what needs to happen within us to grow and transition. Applying the interventions of the wound, the struggle, and the healing, can help you start to transform how you relate to life experiences.