Not Alone In The Dark

Looking At What We Don’t Want To See

It is one of life’s great paradoxes that the things we don’t want to look at in ourselves are the very things we need to look at in order to know ourselves better and to become more fully who we are. The feelings that make us want to run away are buried treasure full of energy and inspiration if we are willing to look. These feelings come in many forms, from strange images or snippets of information to recurring dreams and feelings that rise up seemingly without a reason. Whatever shape they come in, and no matter how scary they seem, these messengers bring the information we need in order to grow.

When we are tired of pushing something down, or trying to run away from it, a good first step is to write down what we think we are avoiding. Often this turns out to be only the surface of the issue or a symbol of something else. Expressing ourselves fully on paper is a safe way to begin exploring the murky territory of the unconscious. The coolness of the intellect can give us the distance we need to read what we have written and feel less afraid of it. It helps if we remember that no matter how dark or negative our thoughts or feelings may be, these are energies shared by all humanity. We are not alone in the dark, and all the gurus and teachers we admire had to go through their own unprocessed emotional territory in order to come out the other side brighter and wiser. This can give us the courage we need to open the treasure chest of what we have been avoiding.

Within the parts of ourselves that we don’t want to look at, there are emotions that need to be felt. Unfelt emotions are stuck energy, and when we leave emotions unprocessed, we deprive ourselves of access to that energy. When we feel strong enough, we can begin the process of feeling those emotions, on our own or with guidance from a spiritual counselor. It is through this work that the buried treasure of energy and inspiration will pour forth from our hearts, giving us the courage to look at all the parts of ourselves with insight and compassion.

 

Hi, I am currently in counseling for depression. I'm learning that my energy levels are so low at home because I have nothing left for myself inside. My counselor is peeling away the layers of emotion and forgotten feelings. It is suprising how quick the tears can form when she asks the right questions. I feel I have become a much stronger person since counseling and I'm looking forward to becoming a much stronger, more energetic and happy person. It is so easy to hide emotions and feelings and then think they are gone but no, they are lerking just beneath the surface.
Thank you for this post, it is both very timely and true.

Alice

Too Ture...Too Ture! Hugs, Marti

Darlene, this rings so true for me.   Have you ever heard of theophostic counseling?  I've started down that path, since traditional therapy has not been able to help me with some of the things I need to address and to examine.  This essay is enlightening and it helps me to feel right about continuing this quest.   I don't JUST want to be thin now, I want to be physically healthy AND emotionally healthy too. 

Never heard of it, but just now looked it up and it is something that I don't think is for me and my beliefs...everyone is different and what works for some doesn't always work for all or others...I also believe that stress and depression can be caused by good things happening in my life, not just bad or the bad things people "have said" to me.

I hope it helps you...