"...that I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness, that I myself
am the enemy who must be loved. What then?"
This level of self-reflection is deeply necessary. Thank you, Steve. And
thanks, of course, to Jung.
And, thank goodness that we all have some very real ways through our
relatedness with the field and within our personal contemplative practices
(among other ways) to answer Jung's question of "What then?"
Over this past weekend, lived circumstances gave rise within me of the
realization of exactly what the above quote is naming. I used a different word
at the time than what follows – but let's say that what arose within was the
recognition of "What an 'enemy' I am." And what was most helpful was to be
present with the state associated to my own enemy-ness. Just BEING with it,
sitting with it, in acceptance within myself as enemy. I sat with this within
myself as I sat among the great generous loving-kindness available to us all.
And then, it was also very helpful to tell my trusted close friend of this
recognition. I was able to state simply the recognition of myself as enemy.
What matters most is the acceptance of the experienced self – and then, I
think, it also matters greatly to have this acceptance be experienced with a
trusted other.
The Jung quotation served to bring this weekend's personal experience (that
was related directly to two of my professional roles) into a clearer focus. I
am grateful for the opportunity here among our Constellation Talk dialogues to
share this reflection. Thank you.
William
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William E. Thompson, MA, SEP
Tucson, Arizona
