Verses 24–25: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand; if a household is divided against itself, that house will never stand.”
One of Carl Jung’s basic beliefs about the psyche/soul was that it is dissociable. This means it can split itself into parts. These parts manifest as different pockets of feelings, desires, and thoughts disconnected from our sense of self, thus these pockets tend to act on their own.
We have all experienced this when we say or do something that is “out of the ordinary” for us. We might even say, “That wasn’t like me!” We also encounter these split-off energy pockets when we say we want to do one thing, but we end up doing another.
This Scripture reminds us of the need to integrate all aspects of ourselves. Split-off feelings, desires, and thoughts have usually been denied or repressed because we feel guilt or shame when they surface. We have learned to respond to these impulses, desires, and emotions by quickly distancing from them.
The problem is they don’t go away. They become more powerful because they are not connected to the ego/self. They may even take over healthy behaviors and distort them. For instance, instead of eating to feed physical hunger, we eat to numb feelings of emotional isolation and the need for human connection. Instead of acknowledging our anger and making necessary changes in our behavior, we may overeat or drink excessively to thwart the feeling. In the end, we are divided against ourselves.
To reintegrate or re-member disconnected emotions, sensations, feelings, thoughts, images, and desires, we must bear facing the guilt or shame connected to them. As we face the guilt or shame, it becomes humanized—it moves from being larger than life to having its place in our history. It becomes an emotional experience tied to a specific event, instead of the absolute truth about an aspect of self.
For instance, we may have been shamed about our desire to be loved. We may have memories of being rejected, ridiculed, or blown off when we tried to get another’s attention and care. It is essential to separate such experience(s) and the resulting negative emotion from the psyche/soul’s desire. In accepting the past experience for the past, we can connect to the present feeling, desire, etc. in a way that allows us to move towards what we want, within ourselves and with others.
By acknowledging what is present within us—“the good, the bad, and the ugly,” we begin the process of relating to, understanding, valuing, and integrating all aspects of the self/ego and Self/Divine Within. In doing this, we grow stronger. Our self/ego is strengthened as it feels a greater connection and relationship to the larger Self/Divine Within. The divisions within us heal, and we feel the congruence and oneness of our self/Self that informs our day-to-day actions.
Inner Reflection
Where do you feel divided? Where are do conflicts exist within you? Is there discord between your body and your emotions, your emotions and your mind, your mind and your Inner Divine Spirit?
As you identify the divisions, ask the Inner Divine to guide and strengthen you to see, feel, and know the seed of the Self in each aspect of your experience. It may help to write down as full a description as possible of each “division.” Call on the Inner Divine Spirit to integrate the various parts (feelings, thoughts, desire, etc.) of your psyche/soul. Practice owning and valuing all aspects of your self/Self.