Through the lens of Depth Recovery, the initial response to any arising affliction is curiosity. Whether addiction, depression, or my anxiety – the process of working with the emotion begins in my curiously questioning the emotion.
In line with the Archetypal approach, we utilize mythological motifs and themes to better amplify the current experience and deepen its greater potential meaning. When it comes to this method of investigation about addiction and recovery two mythemes stand tall – the hero Hercules, and the rebel Prometheus.
It is James Hillman that reminds us, that when the Gods leave the Hero, he is left to become a tyrant. In my own experience I can see, and feel this to be true. Recovery desires its individuation, and the Gods make that happen. Perhaps the moment of tyranny is another way of experiencing the disillusionment of recovery. Yet, those who may be familiar with this experience have no place to discuss – as most recovery circles refrain from questioning the beliefs of the group.
This thought leads us to the first cornerstone of post-recovery work. It is no longer the heroic journey of transcendence above and purity of all. It now becomes the heroic journey into the underworld – where freeing the passions, the creative drives, and the rebellious ways to arise again. We believe that abstinence when seen through, has repressed these aspects of the soul, in favor of the spirit.
When one begins the journey of post-recovery work, one begins the journey back to the soul. Awakening aspects of one’s being that were forced inward, incorrectly demonized as casual evidence of pathology. One begins reconnecting to their passions, their longings, and one seeks out their calling.
In archetypal terms, no God comes and sits with me forever. The story does not end…
