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Written by Dr. Terry Chitwood

Solitude

Melted Snowflake
Barren Branches

Pray Alone

“Solitude has a double meaning for Jung in The Red Book. On the one hand, it suggests the need to distance oneself from others in the pursuit of one’s work, one’s individuation, and one’s soul. On the other hand, it suggests the capacity to ‘live with oneself,’ after scrutinizing and critiquing oneself in the most honest and direct manner . . .” (Reading the Red Book: An Interpretive Guide to C.G. Jung’s Liber Novus by Sanford L. Drob, p.199).

The Desert

A synonym for solitude is desert. This reminds me of the Christian desert fathers and mothers who went into the Scetes desert of Egypt to seek solitude and pray. This implies that to be closer to God and your own soul, you need solitude. These holy men and women had their faith tested by encounters with demons while praying in the desert.

The Traumatic Test

You have been thrust into an inner desert when traumatic events have bulldozed into your life. At these times of immense suffering you will feel alone . . . separated from others. It’s easy to say that these events can further your individuation, but that doesn’t reduce the unremitting pain. These agonizing events may force you to turn to God for relief—and release.

Your Guide

Another synonym for solitude is wilderness. You are called to enter the wilderness within. You need courage to wrestle with your inner demons and come out transformed. Your hermit inside can help you navigate the pathless path through the dark and difficult trials that await you before journey’s end. Praying the prayer of your heart while you travel the inner terrain will give you peace. Discover your heart’s prayer . . . and pray unceasingly. .   

Photo Credit: Photo by Riccardo D’Angelo at Flickr Creative Commons.

Linked with Thought-Provoking Thursday

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Melted Snowflake
Barren Branches

Filed Under: Spiritual Journey Tagged: C.G. Jung, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Reading the Red Book, solitude

Comments

  1. Mia says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Dear Dr. Chitwood
    We all need to go through our inner wilderness and desert to enter our Canaan! Yes, we need to be humbled and cut of from the life of self before we can cross our Jordan like Jacob with his dislocated hip to enter the resurrected life of our Lord Jesus. Actually, into Jesus Himself.
    Blessings
    Mia recently posted..Sly DeceptionsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Terry says

      May 24, 2013 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you for your insightful comment, Mia.
      Terry recently posted..The Only Puzzle That MattersMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Jake says

    October 28, 2013 at 11:22 am

    I love your blog and some of your writing gave me a tear. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
    Jake recently posted..Boost the power of your prayersMy Profile

    Reply
    • Terry says

      October 28, 2013 at 12:03 pm

      Thank you for sharing how my writing moves you, Jake.
      Terry recently posted..The Christian Writer: Cutting through IllusionMy Profile

      Reply

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April 19, 2013

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