May 24, 2006
The Tastee Queen Emerges
Back to the unpleasant chore of gathering dissociated parts of self and making them conscious Why, you ask, do you constantly subject us to this most unattractive process?
The answer is that when we have active aspects of ourselves that only reside in our unconscious, and are never brought to the "light" of consciousness, we have a tendency to project those parts of ourselves (which we often cannot face for fear or shame) onto others.
We can know what is in our unique personal darknesses, by examining our projections onto others. As we make others the enemy, the victim, the oppressor, the lesser, we are showing ourselves more fully
If we are not aware of our dissociated parts, and we have power without wisdom, we do things like start wars, or maybe torture "bad" people. If everyone identified, contained and understood dissociated aspects of themselves, rather than projecting them, the world would be a better place. So I'm just trying to be a good example here, and peek inot my own darkness.
I hope your eyes are glazing over just about now, and you decide to look at the picture, and skip this part -- my shameful self discovery. I refer you to a recent post about the more-than-prompt return of my photographic portfolio after submission to a gallery. I took it harder than was necessary. The reason, my friends, is that I projected my own harsh judgement about the work of others onto the gallery owners, thus wounding myself unnecessarily. They might simply have said, "gee it's not our thing, thanks ". Tis I who judge and trash.
That aspect of myself (of course, she's not associated with the sweet and lovable Dakota) is the Queen of Taste, looking down from her throne, continually judging the creations of others --- wondering how people could possibly paint their house, their picture, or their fingernails that color, live with those curtains, put googlie eyes on their canvas, take another flower picture. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, since, to my shame, she emerges from the pages of this blog all too frequently. Even though I wrote volumes about the gallery experience, I seem to have missed this part of myself entirely. Did I mention, she's extremely funny.
As my shaman, with whom I was exploring this matter, said, different souls are at different developmental stages and we much be respectful and appreciative of everyone's creative process, whether or not they meet our "standards" of excellence. She gave the example of a Sufi hula, which she, herself, a Martha Graham girl, had to stretch to appreciate -- she was able to understand that it was very accessible to the audience, who were having a great time.
The reason I was so undone by my rejection is that I projected the "Queen" onto the rejectors. I must remember that the Queen is mine, an introject from my mother the primo projector and art teacher -- though I have certainly given this part of myself rich soil in which to grow. The distainful, superior, narcissist, who often prefers not to think, (all the things I loathe about George W and project onto him, of course) are me. Oh well, better late than never.
As a much more evolved friend said to me the other day, George Bush has his purpose too. He is here to provide contrast and stimulate a veritable rush of true desire for enlightened truth, freedom and democracy. He is doing the thing that he trained to do his entire life, and repeats over and over again, dependably--- binging, first on drugs ,now on power. He is playing his role in the creation/destruction cycle very well.
Jean Rohe is a very good example of mature psychological development. She saw the truth and stood up for it before power, while not projecting evil onto others. Neither Mark Salter, or John McCain are as evolved.
The universe is helping me finish this piece. Look what popped up from the pile of mail just minutes ago (from an ad for "Buddha at War" by Robert Sachs:
"Robert Sachs points to the old Buddhist adage 'It is far more difficult to cover the world in leather, than it is to put on shoes.', or more simply put, change must begin with ourselves.
and
"'Ultimately it is only from a mind that is transformed, free, and cheerful that action to create lasting peace and happiness are possible", writes Sachs,' Let us enter on that path starting now.'" Yeh, let's.
Photo note: Another in the Vinyl Storm Window Shape Shifting Illusion Series. It does look pretty queenly to me, matronly, perhaps Dairy Queenly.
Posted by Dakota at May 24, 2006 07:04 PM