Psychology = the Study of the Self

Logos or ology means knowing, so psychology means knowing the psyche. As a graduate student of psychology, it’s inevitable that I reflect on my own psyche in the process. In fact, many psychologists are in pursuit of continual healing, continual knowing, continual intimacy with the self.

It can be scary to see what’s lurking behind our ego structures; our ego puts on blinders and only sees what's directly in front of it, but would if we had the bravery to come close to the tree (the self), hug the tree, and peer behind it, and ask that dark, amorphous being behind it, who are you and what do you want? Do I know you? Are we related? Did I create you long ago? When did I disown you, and can I bring you into the light?

By facing the parts of ourselves we don’t want to face, we can bring those shadowy, subconscious parts into the light for integration into the psyche. It doesn’t make those parts any less painful, but it’s only humane to give it light, breathing room, space to be seen.

Soul-Prompt: By examining my true, authentic emotions, what am I afraid to find? Fear, a deep wound or insecurity, a long-lost nightmare? What’s the worst that can happen if I face it?