But the Beginning is not the End. (Part 1)

Assessing where we are in the Work can be difficult, especially as we begin. How ever earnest we are, like any change we move forward and back, in and out of moments of sanity, then back into the misery again. Yet our Persona can fool us. Indeed, its job is to fool us. And it can often convince our family and coworkers that we have changed. We can even give renewed hope to our intimate partners that we have at last found freedom from the drama.

As director I see protagonists Enlarging, opening to more spontaneity and creativity, exposing Barriers, and becoming more reflective, less actively engaged in feeding resentments and fears. That is certainly progress and indication that they have been engaged in the Work that I call Pain into Ritual. To a degree, they are aware of what has caused them so much distress. They can sometimes interrupt the patterns, maybe not immediately but earlier in the cycle then they could before they started this difficult process.

They sense more moments of loving playfulness. They access loving work characterized by states of flow. All of this is a good sign that the Work has begun. Yet, let’s not be fooled. The Work is not done. I would say our Work is never done. Certainly, I am not done. I find more I need to attend to every day.