pixel

DOUBT: suspended between two minds

Dec 3, 2020

A woman is shown holding her face in her hand, against a dark background, illustrating the concept of wrestling with doubt.
Photo credit: Niklas Hamann via Unsplash

Doubt can help or hinder us.

Doubt disturbs us. Unlike the more defined polarities of ambivalence, doubt is pervasive, muddy, and ranges from crippling to constructive. We may doubt our capacity to meet a challenge, achieve a desired outcome, or make the right decision. At a deeper level doubt can threaten our orientation to reality and erode our sense of self.

Doubt can also help us prepare, increase our capacity to take risks, and build confidence in our ability to prevail whether we win or lose. Doubt is about the future—possibilities and perils. We are called to remain steadfast and chart a course in the face of life’s unknowns, for to court certainty is to seek death of the soul. Jung says, “When you are in doubt you have the greatest opportunity to unite the dark and light sides of life.” And become more whole.

Here’s the dream we analyze:

“I am going on a trip and traveling in a cab with friends. During the journey it gets lively, we are excited. I am dancing, making promises to my friends that I am not thinking about fully and telling them how judgmental my father is. There is a lot of mess being made too which I am clearing up, it seems like grass I am sweeping up and there is a small pig/dog-like animal with us but I am caught up in the moment and not paying it too much attention. I get a feeling that my behavior is quite obnoxious in front of the driver but I don’t stop. We arrive at a boat port, there are lots of people and enormous boats, everyone is getting their stuff loaded for their journeys. I check the time and realize we have 20 minutes to board the boat – I think perfect. I get out of the car look around and as I turn back to the cab I notice it drive off with my stuff. I panic and instantly think the driver didn’t like me, that’s why he drove off with my luggage. I start running after the car and notice others running after the car too. We run and keep up with the car but are not able to reach it then one of the girls I am running with says she has the driver’s number on her phone. I shout at her to call him urgently.”

Resources:

Learn to interpret your own dreams in DREAM SCHOOL: https://thisjungianlife.com/join-dream-school/

1 Comment

  1. Ellen

    All of your comments on ‘ Doubt’, have opened up so much. I’m both overwhelmed and excited. Thank you all for sharing your expertise.
    I am part of a ‘Dream Group’ that meets once a month. Each person gets a chance to share a dream and we all give our thoughts on what the unconscious is trying to show the dreamer.
    Your knowledge and insights are so appreciated and have opened up a whole new world !
    I was in tears listening to Joseph read from the poem. I guess there is something there I need to explore,
    Thank you agin. I will return,

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *