"Observation pays the unconscious a tribute that more or less guarantees its co-operation. The unconscious as we know can never be “done with” once and for all. It is, in fact, one of the most important tasks of psychic hygiene to pay continual attention to the symptomatology of unconscious contents and processes, for the good reason that the conscious mind is always in danger of becoming one-sided, of keeping to well-worn paths and getting stuck in blind alleys." Carl Jung
This is why we do so much work companioning our deepest experience and using the observing self in spiritual and therapeutic work. Our well-worn paths that now don't fit will cause symptoms that we need to befriend, listen to, and hear their stories. If we think we can muscle these symptoms to the ground, we are re-wounding ourselves over and over. The symptom serves a purpose. Our friend Alfred Adler, as well as Jung, reminds us to dig deeper for the purpose it serves.
Let us not get stuck in a well-worn path, unable to move. Body, mind, and spirit are encouraging movement all the time. What well-worn path might you be stuck in? Is it a pattern of shaming self and your children, believing that somehow that will motivate? Is it old belief systems about the Divine, counting on an if/then response from outside of yourself? "If I believe and do "X", God will show up and take care of me."
Well-worn paths come from years of practice, ignoring symptoms of incongruence, being afraid to re-evaluate old belief systems, and conformity. Tracking our own symptoms, letting them speak to us, staying curious without harsh judgement, this is using the observing self. This is true compassion for self and others.
Cattle create a well-worn path following each other out to pasture or water and back again. Sounds like a good idea, they know where to go without thinking, blindly following the one in front. But when the water has dried up or the grass is gone, how do they get redirected? How do you get assistance listening to the Soul/psyche that is redirecting you?
