My Third Session with a Jungian Analyst (Equanimity)

My Analyst started with the session, asking how my week was, after telling him a few things that happened on the week, such as meeting someone I really connected with, and how that is always exciting but also scary. I have been single for over a year now from divorcing the Mother of my son, and even though I have been in lots of dates, this one felt special and I was worried I could loose control over my feelings a bit too quick. My analyst then just told me to be aware of my feelings and to pay attentions to what comes up.

Then he suggested me to read two books, “The Choice” and “The Gift” by Edith Eger, who is an accomplished Clinical Psychologist, and a Holocaust Survivor. He mentions that I would find the messages on both books very helpful and the books are what psychotherapy is all about. I say great, I love a great excuse to get more books. More on what I learnt from the book on another blog.

Incredible book and I highly recommend you read it to put life into perspective.

My Analyst then asked what dreams have I been having lately. The interesting thing was that I had dreams with different well known pro surfers for three days in a row, which it had never happened before. Then we both recognized that my unconscious was definitely telling us a very strong message. When I say “us” I do mean, that the message is also for the Analyst not only for myself as it is very common for the unconscious to also send messages to guide the Analyst in the right direction with the Analysand.

It is important to note that I have been doing a dream analysis course from a very renowned Institute founded by a very experienced and seasoned Jungian Analyst. So putting into practice what I am learning on my own dreams and with the help from another amazing analyst is just an incredible opportunity that I am very grateful for.

I was then told to pay attention to how I am feeling, to my body sensations and to take all in pretty much.

One question that I have been wondering for a long while and I had the chance to ask on this session was how to stop projecting my own shadows and judgements onto others, being my own clients, friends, etc. I was then told that we can manage this projections by bringing kindly mindfulness to it. He gave me the example of a Vietnam War Veteran with PTSD, that if he managed to have a successful therapy, they get to a point where because the keep bringing kindly mindfulness to it, they develop EQUANIMITY and from that position they would think, “Well I wouldn’t whish this on my worse enemy.” This feeling still feels awful, but it no longer got me by the throat.

He then finished the session by saying that he always sees a new client for the first three sessions before deciding if the client would be a good fit for this type of therapy, meaning that my next session could be my last one. This thought made me very uneasy as I really want to keep doing the work with him. He then noticed that I my reaction and asked what I was feeling, I said that I understand that it is his call in the end if this therapy wouldn’t be a waste of time for the both of us. I did however say that I was feeling worried that I would not continue on as I really want to but that I would understand whatever decision he makes.

We finished our session, and I was left with the worrying thought that he might not feel I was ready to become a whole person and wounded healer I thought I was. See you all on the next Blog to find out what happens next.