Expanded States and Archetypes: A Reflection

In his book Working with the Dreaming Body, Arnold Mindell (2014) states that “the spirit of your body, the dreambody, is a multi-channeled signaller [sic] which seeks your attention through your dreams, body symptoms, and relationship problems” (p. 95). In reflecting on the nature of consciousness, I think that speaks to how cultivating awareness promotes healing and transformation. By listening to the body, I can expand my conscious awareness. What is the tension in my shoulders trying to tell me? What is the sickness in my stomach saying? Are my cardiovascular concerns my body’s way of desperately pleading with me to work on my heart chakra, my self-love, and healing from old wounds?

Dreams, too, can carry messages. Last night, I dreamed of walking through a pine forest, much like the land I grew up on when I came across an intricate spider’s web. Next to it was a hand-carved wooden mask. Seeing it as a fascinating artifact and work of art, I took it. Only to later discover it was the work of a native American artist who was selling his wares. The mask cost 115 dollars. I returned to find the Indian artist to pay for his work. When I saw him, he was so ancient he had become a living statue. I gave him the money and spoke of how honored I was to have such a beautiful mask. Then I woke. I can further investigate what this dream means to me, what messages it might hold, and what is in my unconscious trying to surface into my awareness. 

According to Carl Jung, “there exists identical psychic structures common to all which are heritable and influence the way all humans experience the world…[and] called these structures archetypes” (Academy of Ideas, 2017). I believe that archetypes, then, serve as a constellation of maps that describe various layers, dimensions, and facets of the unconscious in such a way that illuminates them and allows them to surface into conscious awareness. Further, archetypes, being heritable, might also serve as teachings passed along from the collective unconscious, ancestors, and spiritual energies between “living” and the non-biological realms. Therefore, archetypes are a valuable resource for cultivating an expanded consciousness, both individually––microcosmically and macrocosmically through the collective consciousness among groups, countries, and globally. 

For example, I am aware of two seemingly opposing archetypes battling inside me and creating tension. The Innocent in me is on a happiness-seeking quest. However, the Orphan in me is still trying to survive old wounds and puts up roadblocks along the Innocent’s path toward happiness. While that creates a bit of tension, I’m learning that for the Innocent’s quest to succeed, I must work with the Orphan to heal old wounds. As difficult as that may be, and despite not wanting to dive into old suffering, it must be done if I hope to find a sense of wholeness, understanding, fulfillment, and––happiness. 

I can see similar dynamics playing out between the Innocent and Orphan through dominant paradigms on a macrocosmic level. For example, globally, humanity broadly seeks happiness through materialism, economic growth, and expansion. However, the quest for human happiness under such a paradigm relies on domination systems that rob and rape Mother Earth of her resources, health, and ability to sustain life. If humanity hopes to find happiness, I believe we must first address the Orphan’s suffering and help it along its quest for survival. That can only happen by shifting away from systems of domination and toward systems of partnership––with Mother Earth, her creatures, and humanity. 

New paradigms are beginning to emerge. Young people especially are fighting for environmental conservation, clean energy, and living in harmony and balance with the earth. However, there is yet a long way to go, and time is running out. It is a tense battle between domination and partnership, consumerism and anti-consumerism, the Innocent's quest for happiness and the Orphan's quest for survival. Carol S. Pearson states in her book, The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By, that "Understanding archetypes and their positive manifestations operates as a kind of psychological inoculation against their sides (which are often called shadow sides); by being exposed to archetypes and becoming aware of how they operate within us, we can learn to balance, and sometimes even supplant, their more negative aspects” (p. 23). Education on archetypes across broader populations is one step toward increased healing and expanded consciousness. 

I believe that incorporating archetypes in the future as an art therapist can help in two important ways. First, it can help me navigate my own experiences, healing, and expanded consciousness by providing a useful map and guidance from the energy/spiritual world, thus making me a better therapist. Secondly, like lighting a candle from the flame of another candle, I can bring archetypes into session with patients who might benefit from their guidance and teachings. Additionally, I can continue to work with both myself and future patients on listening to the messages of the body, of dreams, and of relationship patterns to learn from them and listen for their sacred messages, teachings, and warnings.

Additionally, I’m finding tremendous value in the stories and myths presented in Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D. There is so much to learn from archetypes and myths, and they complement one another on so many levels. For example, I can see many similarities between the story of Bluebeard (Estés, 1995) and that of the naïve Innocent. I hope to continue my own journey of healing, growth, and understanding through these resources and share them in my future practice.

References

Academy of Ideas (2017, February 14). Carl Jung - What are the archetypes? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/wywUQc-4Opk

Estés, C. P. (1995). Women who run with the wolves: Myths and stories of the wild woman archetype. Ballantine Books. New York.

Mindell, A. (2014). Working with the dreaming body (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Ind. Pub. Platform.

Pearson, C. S. (2015). The hero within: Six archetypes we live by (3rd ed.). HarperOne.

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