Working with Symbols

Symbolic Work is a way the Universe has to speak to you, especially when you are in a process when life is asking you to transform yourself or something, but we get so entangled with the adversities and challenges along the way, that most of the time we miss the messages that are precisely what helps us to give meaning, understand, and move forward. 

We can wish as hard as we can, but the Universe won't grab our hand and say: You are meant to change this, because when you make this, you will learn about that specific thing that was related to X situation in the past, and it was preventing you to move forward and perhaps be where you are meant to be. No, life would be too easy and we would be too lazy. 

‍Symbols serve as a language through which life communicates with us. They can be found in messages, songs, images, art, synchronicities, dreams, words in books, outdoor settings, numbers, and more. While everyone receives these messages, some individuals are more equipped to recognise and interpret them. 

However, it's essential to avoid interpreting them in a way that satisfies the ego's desires and biases. You can determine whether a symbol is being activated by its own force or interpreted by the ego by paying attention to your body's physical reactions such as shaking, hot flushes, a fast heartbeat, or tears. When you experience an immediate bodily response after seeing or hearing something, it's an indication that the symbol has been delivered. 

The "Wow Moment" of things is significant when working with symbols. When you recognize a symbol, it can evoke a sense of disbelief or confusion, leaving you questioning your own sanity. However, these moments indicate that a symbol is attempting to work with you. 

To receive and interpret symbols in a non-egoic manner, it's crucial to practice patience and acceptance. Recognise that you don't have control over the messages you receive or their timing. Let them come in their own time and form without trying to control or force their meaning.

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What are some ways to interpret symbols without being influenced by ego biases?

1) Practicing patience and acceptance that you do not choose and you are not in control of anything - if a message has to come to you, it will come at its own time and form. 

2) Tap into the Collective Unconscious - a Jungian concept that refers to the part of the unconscious mind that is shared by ALL humans and contains universal symbols and archetypes. Accessing the collective unconscious is not a straightforward process and may require significant introspection, self-reflection, and possibly even therapy. However, here are a few suggestions that may help: 

‍Practice mindfulness and meditation: By clearing your mind and focusing on the present moment, you may be able to access deeper levels of the unconscious mind. 

Engage in creative activities: Creative pursuits such as art, music, and writing can help tap into the unconscious mind and bring forth symbolic imagery and archetypes. 

Study mythology and symbolism: Learning about archetypes and symbols from different cultures and time periods can help you recognize them in your own unconscious and understand their meaning. 

3) Tap into Your Personal Unconscious - The personal unconscious refers to all the experiences, memories, and emotions that an individual has acquired throughout their life. These may be conscious at some times but are usually hidden from awareness, and they can have a significant impact on an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

‍Journaling: Write down your thoughts, feelings, dreams, and memories without editing or censoring them. This can help you uncover patterns, emotions, and beliefs that you may not have been aware of before. 

Meditation: By quieting your mind and focusing inward, you may be able to connect with deeper aspects of your psyche. You may become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations, which can reveal unconscious material. 

Work on your expression: Engaging in creative activities such as drawing, painting, or writing can provide a channel for your unconscious mind to express itself. These activities can help you tap into your intuition and explore parts of yourself that may be hidden from your conscious mind. 

Therapy: A trained therapist can help you explore your unconscious mind in a safe and supportive environment. They can guide you through techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and active imagination to help you access and integrate unconscious material.

4) Create a "Personal Symbolic Library"

Engaging in activities such as watching movies, reading stories, and listening to songs can serve as a means of connecting your personal unconscious with the collective unconscious. 

By approaching these activities mindfully, with an intention to gain insight or simply with a greater sense of curiosity and awareness, you can begin to build a collection of personal symbols that resonates with you. 

This collection can serve as a personal symbolic library, offering insight into your deeper self and enhancing your understanding of the universal themes and archetypes that shape human experience.

Understanding the personal meaning behind a universal symbol is crucial because while the symbol may hold a universal significance, its personal meaning varies from person to person. 

For instance, snakes hold a deep loving connection for me as they are associated with profound wisdom, femininity, and spiritual awakening. However, for others, they may evoke feelings of fear, disgust, or other emotions that differ from my own. Thus, it is important to identify a symbol that resonates with you and explore its personal significance. 

In the case of dreams, a general dream interpretation may not be effective as the meaning of the dream is unique to the individual. To truly understand the personal symbolism in a dream, one must connect with their inner images and interpret them through their own lens. 

‍How to Build a Symbolic Inner Library:

To begin building your own personal symbolic library, start by listing your favourite movies, and songs, and drawing symbols that hold personal significance to you, such as numbers and tones. 

This exercise will help you to explore the symbolism that speaks to you on a deeper level and build a personal library of symbols that can provide insight and understanding into your unconscious mind. 

‍Exercise: Visualisation and Symbolism 

Find a calm and quiet place to sit comfortably. Visualize yourself in a place that is familiar and important to you. Imagine discovering a hidden door within this space, which leads you to a lower level. Walk down a long corridor until you reach another door, which you open. 

Inside this room, there are many things: books, plants, animals, people, and elements. Explore the room slowly and with curiosity. In the centre of the room, you'll find a little box. Pick it up and retrace your steps back through the same path you came from. Before you leave the room, open the box. 

Inside the box, there is a symbol - it could be an image, a colour, or a word. This symbol is yours. Before you return to your awakened state, tell yourself and the symbol, "I am open to receive, appear to me." 

Carry the image of your symbol with you for a week. Do not seek its meaning or try to apply logic to the experience. Instead, be open to seeing where the symbol appears. Record everything that comes to mind about the symbol, including any inner associations or questions that arise, in a journal.

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