Triggers and Limiting Beliefs
None of us are strangers to having our "buttons pressed". This phrase describes in some way what I refer to as a "trigger". Triggers are situations that provoke an unnatural, perverted, incongruent (what I label "wounded") response from us.
A story about being triggered would go something like this: "I was on my third date with a gorgeous man I very much liked - having an amazing conversation, when suddenly he said something (I can't even recall the exact detail) - but next thing I felt offended, defensive, angry and said something totally inappropriate and hurtful (to him). Well, to cut a long story short, he suggested we get the bill and I haven't seen him since". This is an example of what "being triggered" looks like. There are many variations. We all have our own stories of them.
It is called a "trigger" because it triggers the appearance (presence) of an aspect of ourself that we essentially have no control over - although we are required to deal with the consequences of what happens as a result.
I was exposed to this work by doing a series of courses, first by Katherine Woodward Thomas (Calling in the One, Love Mastery) and then by Claire Zammit (Feminine Power, Living your Destiny). I highly recommend these courses. They had a profound impact on my life.
We never cease from exploration - at the end of our exploring is to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time (TS Eliot). We are all at very different phases of our evolution and it never ends. For some it is easy to make profound shifts and breakthroughs in their lives with seemingly very little effort. I struggled. It didn't just "happen to me". I was stuck for a long time. I have done a lot of work - I still have a lot of work to do. It never ends. I did Katherine and Claire's courses more than once. So did many others.
My Triggers and Limiting Beliefs work is not meant to compete or to be an alternative option to Katherine and Claire's courses. If you can, do their courses. I include this work in everything I do because I believe it is the key that opens the doors to the soul. It is essential soul-work.
I have brought my own insights into this work based on my own experience. I approach it in a different way and I am "bolder" with certain ideas and concepts surrounding the psyche. I can be (bold) because, although I have a postgraduate degree in psychology, I am not a registered health professional and therefore not bound by the framework and thinking of current mainstream psychology and psychiatry. I regard this work as "soul-work" not therapy. There is a movement in the collective towards boldness and a more urgent approach to personal growth. The use of plant medicine for soul-work, like Ayuhausca is a reflection of this.
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My thinking diverges from mainstream psychology in many ways. For me there are many "aspects of self" and this is a little more complex than the idea of facets of personality. Aspects of self can be more or less integrated. The goal is more integration but this is a journey. I choose to see all aspects of psyche, regardless of extent of integration as an expression of soul, rather than as a neurosis and psychosis.
Our "triggers" are embedded in the cellular level of our body. They are our scars, tattoos - artefacts of our genetic code, structural vulnerability and past experience. We all have them, they are part of being human. We do this work when our triggers become obstacles in manifesting our soul purpose, and living our best life.
In my Triggers and Limiting Beliefs work, I did (started) in 2012 - (an ongoing process), I identified primarily four wounded aspects of my self, each with their own triggers, characteristics and core (false) limiting beliefs. They are illustrated in the diagram on the left. Justine is my warrior archetype concerned with justice and protection. When Justine is triggered I am inappropriately confrontational, argumentative and defensive (protecting myself) - and I stress inappropriately! At her core is the limiting false beliefs "I am not safe" and "I am on my own (alone)".
Triggers and Limiting Beliefs work involves bringing these wounded aspects of ourself into consciousness by entering into a relationship with this part of ourself (aspect of self). Through this relationship (1) we come to know (and therefore able to challenge), the limiting (false) beliefs that are at the core of this self and (2) most importantly, learn to manage the trigger.
In my trigger story I shared above (2nd paragraph), I go home deeply regretting saying what I did, not understanding why, perhaps even recognising this pattern, but being stuck with in - unable to change it. When I get to know Justine and her core false belief (I am not safe, I am on my own), I understand why I am triggered and have compassion for myself. Through entering into a relationship with this aspect of myself, I eventually create a gap between my habitual trigger and my habitual response, enabling me to change my response. My life shifts as a result.
The light shines through the wound (Rumi). By managing the wounded aspect of my warrior archetype Justine, I get to recognise and nurture her strengths - my gifts and potential. When there is real danger, it is Justine who is vigilant, intuitive and savvy - who keeps a cool head and gets me out of trouble. I harness her energy (fire), courage and warrior spirit to enable me to do what is important for me, others and the world.