Spiritual Archetypes

We have to know what we are about Some people believe we come into the world with a purpose. Others believe we develop our life purpose over time. It's true that we all have different preferences, views and energies to bring to our lives, which evolve and change over time. It is our sense of purpose that creates meaning in our lives.

At some point in our lives we ask ourselves - why am I here ? What's my real purpose in life ? This lack of understanding is a bigger issue than we often think. It can lead to all sorts of stress, including depression, anxiety, fear and fatigue. Physical illnesses can often follow - such as back problems and even heart attacks.

A confused or directionless life can have a destructive effect on your relationships with others. You have to know and love yourself before you can truly understand others.

It's never too late to focus your energy on the changes that will transform your life and create a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. The journey starts by trying to understand who you are and what you value. Caroline Myss believes your life is about fulfilling a sacred contract and you are born with a combination of spiritual archetypes.

Fulfilling your Sacred Contract
To understand how to fulfill your Sacred Contract, you have to see yourself as a combination of twelve well known archetypes. Four of these are universal archetypes related to survival: the Child, Victim, Prostitute, and Saboteur. We all have these because they are vital to our growth and functioning as adults. The other eight are drawn from the vast storehouse of archetypes dating back to the dawn of human history. They play valuable roles that relate to our work, our relationships with individuals and society, as well as to our spirituality, finances, values, and our highest potential.

To explore these archetypes in more detail visit the website of Caroline Myss or get hold of her book "Sacred Contracts", published by Harmony in 2001.

Following the work of Carl Jung
The great Swiss psychologist Carl Jung developed this idea. For Jung, archetypes comprised psychological patterns derived from historical roles in life, such as the Mother, Child, Trickster, and Servant, as well as universal events or situations, including Initiation or Death and Rebirth. Along with our individual personal unconscious, which is unique to each of us, Jung asserted, "there exists a second psychic system of a collective, universal, and impersonal nature that is identical in all individuals." This collective unconscious, he believed, was inherited rather than developed, and was composed mainly of archetypes.

Note that the personal and collective dimensions are reflected in the Dynamic Model. We find archetypal behaviour in individuals and organisations. As a result they provide valuable insights into personal development and team effectiveness.

Learning to use Symbolic Sight
To use this approach to dynamic change you must learn how to see your life - and the lives of others - symbolically, allowing you to manage your personal power and fulfill your destiny as a spiritual entity. It's powerful stuff - and it works. The insights it brings will transform your outlook on life and give it strong meaning and clarity of purpose. You find out what you are here on Earth to learn and to give to others. You get in touch with your life's purpose.

I use my own version of the technique. It is a great way of getting to know what drives you and members of your family, your work colleagues and your friends. When you become familiar with the archetypes you can spot them in everyone you meet. You see them as spirits, not just bodies with minds.

Implications for Change Coaching
When people get a complete picture of who they are spiritually, mentally and emotionally, they become committed and motivated to pursue their life goals and remove the burdens that are holding them back. This is because our archetypes are the architects of our lives, and influence who we are, how we live, what our higher purpose is and what we pay attention to.

A Change Coach can help you find your mission in life, removing the energy blocks, and so help you improve the quality of your life and work. This improves your relationships and your health. You are then in a much better state to create and accommodate the changes you need to make.

As an Archetype Consultant I help people look inside themselves for the power needed to change and expand themselves. The paradox is that some people get power from being sick, weak and dependent. They limit their growth and potential so they only realise their sacred contract in a limited way.

I can help you open up and take responsibility for your authentic self - what you know you can become. It's about building your self-esteem and valuing everything you have, appreciating it to the full. Once you can see more, you can do more and gradually handle more responsibility for realising your sacred contract. It's your choice - you can do it now - or not. Work on what's in front of you today - tomorrow will take care of itself. All you need is a Change Coach to help you do what you are meant to do.