A Partnership for Evolution
Meditation and psychology are a union of opposites. Together they embody a divine marriage, a partnership for evolution. They are opposite in their approach but point to the same awakened potential. Meditation looks into the spirit, universal to all beings. Psychology explores the soul as personal and unique. Meditation says the reason we suffer is from ignorance of our basic nature. Generally speaking, psychology says confused relationships are at the root of our suffering. Psychology is looking at the relationship one has to the unconscious, to culture, ancestors, and nature. The ways of healing through psychology are numerous, just as there are hundreds of ways to meditate.
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Meditation and psychology have their shadows or dark sides too, which I will explain as I go along. Both have remarkable potential for healing the spirit and soul. There are many ways to enlightenment and personal healing. Meditation and psychology are paths for some people but not for others. The shadow of any path to healing can be, “ I have the best way”, or the “only way”. Even in the most respected traditions of the healing arts, there can be disillusionment. Many seekers feel they have “thee corner on truth, and everyone else just doesn’t quite get it”. However, this attitude has a positive side too, to push us forward and refine the meaning of personal and cultural growth. “What really does heal my spirit and soul? Where am I fooling myself this time?”
Meditation is a Universal Approach
The most common meditation is with the body, breath and mind. This meditation practice observes and experiences thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and dreams as passing clouds or waves on water. The purpose of this practice is to gradually develop a non-judgmental awareness, because the usual awareness is judgmental; “I shouldn’t be feeling this way, I should be feeling another way”. Not distinguishing between states of mind, allows the mind to rest from figuring things out obsessively and strategizing to no end. The mind naturally calms down as the observing mind develops, just letting the content of mind come and go. Most meditation practices deal with judgement by repeatedly bringing the focus back to the breath and body, giving the mind something else to focus on besides emotional judgement of yourself and others. This helps anchor the mind in the present reality. Meditation: Foreground/Background
Psychology is a Personal Approach
Psychology on the other hand, explores and relishes the feelings, thoughts, body sensations, and dreams that arise from the unconscious. Psyche means: Latin from Greek for (psukhe) is, “breath, life, soul”. Psychology looks into the personal experience of being human. Psychology needs the stories of our ancestors, our personal histories, fantasies and memories. They teach us what needs to be healed. The human is an extension of the soul, it needs other souls, it needs heart to heart experiences. A human, struggles less with safe, loving, and wise people around, it is easier.
Through the personal, the spiritual is grounded in the activities of day-to-day life. Psychology helps to integrate broken off pieces of the soul that come from trauma, cultural discrimination, and the limitations of human biology. As an individual finds their way with family and culture, there is a more balanced relationship with the universal quality of spirit. Continued: Psychology: a Personal Approach to Family, Culture, and the Great Unknown
