What the Art of Communication with the Inner Self Requires
The Art of Communication with the inner self involves the imagination. For this reason, we refer to communication as an art form and not a science.
We are talking to ourselves or someone in our head all the time anyway. Why not listen to what we are telling ourself and even have a conscious conversation.
The art of communication with the inner self involves not only the imagination, but creativity. A creativity which is open and playful in the beginning, because it can feel weird or crazy communicating with aspects of our inner life.
Expression helps ground the experience by writing down the dialogue or expression through some other artistic form such as drawing, painting, dance, sculpture and so forth.
This art of communication is with the wiser and kinder parts of ourselves, as well as the anxious, depressed, and hopeless parts of ourselves.
C.G. Jung displayed active imagination in his Red Book, a journaling of his dialogues with the many characters within. This could be considered a form of journeying in the shamanic tradition, a going inside and meeting what is there.
We say “parts” of ourself because there is so much emotion and power in each separate part. We need a firm structure to hold these emotions because they are unfamiliar and often unknown. Calling voices and feelings a part of ourself can begin to give us a healthy distance. This can help us get to know these parts as separate and not feel so trapped or fused with these emotions.
For example, I may completely believe a negative inner voice that says I am not good enough in some way, but in reality, I am good enough.
We are mistaking that voice for the truth. We are fusing with a negative part of our self. We are taking this message personally. We are identifying with it.
Another way of fusing with an inner voice is to think I am better or smarter in ways that I am not.
We can be very unconscious about these dialogues and take them as truth. If we cannot become aware of what these inner voices are telling us, they will eventually come out in our dreams or fantasies.
Dreams put a face on these voices with an accompanying attitude, such as, aggressive, kind, crazy, wise, animal and so forth. Then we have something to work with, to communicate with, just as we would in our outer life.
Having a dream usually feels like something or some “part” of myself is trying to communicate with me. It is trying to tell me something or point something out about my character. Especially if a dream repeats or is terrifying. It wakes us up to an inner voice, an inner image and strong feelings. Now this personality is in my face.
Even those who do not believe in dreams will still be shaken to the bone with terror on some nights. These inner characters are much bigger than our refusal to listen and communicate. There is an undeniable “part” of ourself that demands attention.
When we have a little separation from these parts, they are no longer “just parts” of ourself, but selves and others that we might have a relationship with just as we do in the outer world with people.
As I said in the previous post: “Then, we gradually begin to communicate with a wiser part of ourself, just as we would ask someone outside ourself for guidance that has more wisdom on certain matters. Hearing the wiser part of ourself is one thing, trusting it is another.”
As an example, here is a dialogue I had awhile back with a “not good enough” part of myself. Full CAPS is me and lower case is another ‘part’ with which I have a developing relationship.
WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY. YOU CONTINUALLY HOUND ME IN WAYS THAT MAKE NO SENSE.
shut the fuck up you need to listen to me or you’re going to be in trouble.
WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE? IT’S AS IF YOU FIND TROUBLE IN SO MANY THINGS.
the more you feel shame and anxiety the safer you will be. it keeps you on guard because if you slack in the least someone will scold you, humiliate you, or hurt you in some way. why not be safe instead of sorry.
THAT NUTS. YOU ARE SAYING, “STAY IN A CONSTANT STATE OF ANXIETY FOR SAFETY REASONS”. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO STAY SAFE, WOULDN’T IT BE BETTER TO STAY RELAXED OR JUST ATTENTIVE TO LIFE, RATHER THAN TO ALWAYS BE ANXIOUS OR STUCK IN SHAME.
sounds like a good idea but I have been in this state of anxiety for so long that it feels normal and even makes complete sense.
WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?
you know your great grandmother suicided in front of your grandmother when she was six years old right?
YES
da, you don’t think that still has an effect?
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP WITH THAT?
yes, just know that i am here and cut me a little slack. have a little empathy will you and quit trying to bury me or hate on me.
I SEE YOU ARE ACTUALLY A PART OF ME THAT I HAVE BEEN REJECTING. I’M SORRY.
thank you
I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT I FEEL BETTER FOR SOME REASON RIGHT NOW.
i am suspicious of that but i will admit, i do feel safer with you.
