Early on in ‘Loving What Is’, Byron Katie states:
“Every story is a variation on a single theme: This shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t have to experience this. God is unjust. Life isn’t fair.”
This card depicts my current version of that story.
Katie goes on to offer four questions of inquiry, which can reorient us to our thoughts, and ultimately, nudge us toward freedom, and they are:
1) Is it true (the belief)?
2) Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
3) How do you react when you think that thought?
4) Who would you be without the thought?
and
Turn it around.
The details of the story literally do not matter to get the gist of this SoulCollage card. It’s all here — the posture of resignation, the failure to be properly equipped, the paralysis of defeat.
What this card ALSO reveals is the freedom that lies just outside of the story — the encircling unity of the brass compass (untouched by the drama within), the delicate silk butterflies oriented upward, the suggestion of galaxies just over that defeated shoulder… which to my view, makes it ultimately a card about hope.
In January, one of my stated goals for the year was to use tools already in my arsenal. Well, I’ve just shared two of them — SoulCollage and Byron Katie’s “Work”. We all need tools like these. And they need to fit who we are. A visual person who likes to make collages, who studied the Tarot beginning in high school, whose read and resonated with Jung, and who has a 40-year, fairly consistent habit of keeping a journal, is well suited to these two tools.
What methods do YOU use to investigate and release negative patterns?
Dee, I love this SoulCollage card. You have created depth on so many levels, literally, figuratively and visually. I also think Byron Katie is brilliant and use the 4 questions when I’m fighting my inner thoughts of defeat or fighting with reality. She says if you fight reality you will lose 100% of the time. I tell myself that so many times when I look out that door and see what’s in front of me to do. We do need all the tools we can surround ourselves with. I like to collect oracle cards (along with making SoulCollage, my own personal oracle deck) and turn to them as well as the I Ching when I’m stuck and need a new perspective. I just made a vision board mandala with the 13 tarot cards I drew for a full moon spread and placed in each of the 12 houses of the wheel. I made it interactive and plan to use this vision board all year. I’ll post a picture of it on my website soon. Thanks for reminding us of the freedom that exists when we change our perspective.
Stephanie — thanks for your thoughtful post — I think B.Katie is brilliant also — and you’ve stated the nub of her work — that when we fight with reality, we create suffering… I really like the vision board idea and look forward to seeing how you use it on your blog… I also look forward to taking a little more time to read your recent post, called “Going Home”…
I love soul collage cards, but I tend to forget to read them. You’ve inspired me to go do that right now. I’m a big believer in keeping Morning Pages ala Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way as a way of getting all those little demons out of my head every morning.
I often wander away from things that help me stay centered… glad I could remind you!
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