The Hero’s Journey: Mountain Climbing & Psychotherapy
Robin B. Zeiger
There’s no coming to consciousness without pain.
― Carl Gustav Jung
Recently I listened to a young man’s tale of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time. There was much physical and emotional preparation. This included intense exercise, seeking out the right climbing gear and investigating all the small details of the trip. But perhaps most of all, it involved a mind-set that included believing in oneself. Although I only heard about the details from a “distance,” a piece of my soul accompanied him on his climb. I too could think of my important milestones in life and I too could dare to dream of the next step. I was very honored and touched to receive a photo taken at the peak.
This is the stuff of therapy and of life. Jungians speak about the hero’s/heroine’s journey and the path of individuation. We leave the comfort of our childhood “nest” and hopefully set out on our own journey through life. A life worth living is often one in which we continually find our way and make our own unique mark upon society.
We try new things and often are propelled to reach for more difficult goals. At times, this includes “slaying the dragons” along the way and emerging stronger and more in touch with Self.
There is nothing simple about life. Anything worthwhile is typically difficult and painful. Again and again, I find myself reflecting on the brave decision of many seekers to engage in depth psychotherapy. There are many types of psychotherapy. It is important to seek out the right fit with a therapist and their approach. Most importantly one must like one’s therapist and feel comfortable enough to open one’s mouth and be honest.
At one end is supportive therapy, where people seek out a place to vent and to just “feel better.” They want to hear that everything they do is okay. At times, we really only need or can handle this type of positive perspective. Perhaps one has gone through a terrible loss or trauma. Or perhaps, someone is in a life-time battle with chronic mental illness. Thus, their internal “mountain” is very difficult to climb and they may instead need a gentle “hand” along the way.
Perhaps at the other end is depth psychotherapy. Jungian psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are examples. Here the patient is encouraged to engage in a deeply introspective process that often includes dream work and the symbolic. The therapist or analyst is an escort and catalyst; offering the right “water and sun” for the seeker to grow.
However, most psychotherapy is not just nice. It is honest and thus, at times, painful. The analogy I often use often comes from exercise and working out; no pain no gain. This is why I like the story of the mountain climbing.
It is not simple to pick up the phone the first time and make an appointment for psychotherapy. I can often hear the anxiety at the other end of the phone. Beginnings are often hard for all of us. And it is especially hard to open up one’s soul to a stranger. However, it is interesting to note that the real difficulties begin after this first phase of getting to know one another. Sometimes there is a honeymoon phase, where the patient unloads a lot of tough stuff and feels seen and heard.
Then the real work begins. Perhaps the therapist offers some very honest feedback. Perhaps s/he hits upon a wound and it begins to “bleed”. Or perhaps, the therapist’s opinion becomes so important and the patient imagines disapproval or their “fall from grace.” This is when the real test of bravery begins. Too often, the patient is tempted to run away or back off. However, it is important not to run away. This is the moment where trust can finally begin to be built between two individuals.
Here I find myself relying upon two strong analogies for good psychotherapy. One is the importance of mirroring. The therapist “looks at the other” in front of him/her and begins to truly “see” the patient. Perhaps the parents of this patient were incapable or unwilling to see their child. Or perhaps, this individual learned to hide so much underground. The therapist sees and reflects and mirrors back the reflection without judgment. For example, a patient may come to psychotherapy sad or angry and s/he has no awareness of these feelings. Or perhaps someone has put up with abuse their whole life without a clue of what they are experiencing or feeling. The therapist helps them begin to look in the mirror at their lifetime experiences and to begin to touch their hurt and angry feelings.
The second powerful analogy is that of bumping up against the wall of the other. We all live in our own “four walls” of ourselves. Sometimes we are too lost or too pre-occupied. We cannot relate well enough to the Other or to the outside world. And perhaps more importantly we cannot find ourselves. Here the therapist offers feedback, and it is not always nice or comforting.
Therapy is a relationship like no other. Our therapist is not our friend, yet the intimacy and honesty built in the room is often unprecedented in life. In the sacred temenos or space of therapy it is safe to say anything.
The focus of therapy is upon the pain and needs of the patient. Yet, the journey is like a chemical reaction via the combination of two.
As Jung so aptly pointed out, the effective therapist cannot help but be touched and transformed by the deep work. This too is highly therapeutic for the patient to know s/he can move and touch the other.
We must climb our own mountains. Our soul longs for meaning and purpose and for the path of individuation. Yet, this journey often begins one step at a time.
Robin B. Zeiger is a practicing Jungian psychoanalyst and a free-lance writer. She is a member of the International Association of Analytical Psychologyand the Israel Institute of Jungian Psychology. She can be reached at rbzeiger@yahoo.com.
