Archetypes, part IV - The Way of Phi in Practice -

The Home & The World – Where do they meet?

Dear friend,

Today we will dive into two more archetypes: The Home and the World.

– Wait, what? – Aren't archetypes like a fancy word for characters?

– Well, yes – and no!

The thing about archetypes is that they are energetic. This means that they exist on a more abstract level than you or I do. In other words, we can view archetypes as a kind of influence that we are more or less affected by, whether intentionally or by happenstance.

Last weeks we were touching on the archetype of the Devil. While there might be some who believe that the Devil is an actual physical being, presumably hiding in a cave in the interior of the earth or so, I think it is fair to say that most people, who believe there is such an entity, consider the Devil as more of a metaphysical being. And if we say something like 'the Devil finds work for idle hands' we typically don't mean that there is a shady talent scout seeking out lazy labourers, but rather, it is a metaphorical way of instilling a certain work ethic for fear of the consequences of desisting.

Incidentally, the way that the Devil is typically illustrated has clear parallels to the Greek god Pan. This is connected to the fact that whereas the archetypes are in a sense eternal, their interpretations vary. So here an archetype, that was previously regarded with respect for his role in nature, was recast as the villain in the new religion founded on the ruins of the Roman empire. If we consider that the archetypes represent parts of ourselves, such vilification pushes certain aspects of ourselves deeper down into the collective unconscious, from whence they affect us in ways that are more likely to elude our awareness.

With that clarification, we see that an archetype is a metaphor for something that we can relate to in a deeper sense. And even though the archetypes tend to be personalised, usually anthropomorphic, entities, they're really much bigger than that and could just as well be other concepts. Thus we return to the two archetypes of the Home and the World.

The Home

The feelings of a home, having a home, being at home or coming home are familiar to many. There are expressions in different languages alluding to this, e.g. 'There's no place like home' or 'Home sweet home'. What this means is usually not that the physical home is unique, for even though every place is unique, if we look closely enough, it is that feeling of homeliness that holds the real uniqueness. This feeling could entail various elements such as a sense of belonging, safety, familiarity, and more.

There is also a distinct sense of connection between me and that feeling, making it a deeply personal one.

So, where does this feeling of homeliness reside?

– Surely it is not connected to a physical location, since that can change over time. Still, there often seems to be a connection to the physical location.

In the terminology of the Way of Phi, the home is mostly a Circular feeling. A sense of being and belonging, rather than a doing or achieving. Even so, there are Linear aspects to it, not least since the stereotypical "home" tends to be drawn with lines:

The World

What about the World then. What is that we look for when we venture into 'the world'?

Could it be adventure? Opportunities? Career? Finding a partner?

In psychological terms, we sometimes talk about the macrocosm and the microcosm. '-cosm' comes from the Ancient Greek word κόσμος [kosmos] which means world (although nowadays it tends to mean the universe). The notion is that there is a correspondence between the world at large, i.e. the world 'out there' and the inner world, i.e. the inner realm of our psyche.

In the terminology of the Way of Phi, the world is mostly a Linear feeling of exploration and discover. Even so, there are Circular aspects to it, not least since the stereotypical "world" tends to be drawn as a circle:

Coming Together

Let's look at some examples of how the Home and the World are similar yet opposite:

When we think of being at home or 'going home' that is connected with an inner or inward direction. This is a Circular characteristic.

However, being in the world or 'going into the world' is much more externally oriented. In other words Linear.

The connection between the two happens in many instances. One is when we travel: first we leave home – then we go into the world – then we return home. This arc is like the arc of life: first there is mystery – then we are born into the world and explore it for a while – then we die and return to mystery. Our belief system doesn't affect this arc much (even though we might choose different words to explain it).

Another connection is the sense of being 'at home in the world', which is connected to someone who has perhaps travelled extensively and lived in various parts of the world. After a while it is possible to arrive at a sense of seeing the world beyond its ever-shifting forms. Seeing people as people, regardless of their race, gender, creed, nationality etc. And conversely, that no matter how much we try to run away we cannot run away from ourselves. Like in Bob Marley song Running Away. 

Personal Reflection

In my personal journey, I have felt "at home" from time to time. If I consider my adult life, I probably felt at home the first time when I was travelling in India in 1996-1997. In other words, as I was travelling the world, I found a sense of home. The second time that the feeling of being at home really 'hit home' was about a year and a half ago when I was living in a cottage in the woods. On that occasion it was certainly connected to a physical place, but even more so a sense of being in a deeper connection with myself.

In Literature

For those who are familiar with 20th century Indian literature, the novel by Rabindranath Tagore 'The Home and the World' might spring to mind. Incidentally, this book explores opposites in the context of the Indian fight for independence from the British empire.

 

The Way of Phi in Swedish: Vägen till Phi

I have now finished translating my book The Way of Phi into Swedish. From the 22nd of October, Vägen till Phi will be available. If you want a signed copy, you are welcome to preorder it directly from me. Just reply to this email and let me know how many copies you want and where you want to it delivered to, and I will gladly reply with all the practical information.

Thanks to Garrett for the beautiful cover:

This book has the potential to change your "home" – and the world; it is a high value mix of personal development and "saving the planet": theoretically explaining how balance works on multiple levels and anchoring this knowledge through numerous practical exercises. And much more.

If you prefer the English version, just click here to order.

With gratitude, 

Christopher