In a recent contemplation, I encountered a poignant question that delved into the art of maintaining an unreactive and stoic disposition amidst life's challenges and everyday situations. This inquiry resonated profoundly, allowing me to delve into an idea that has occupied my thoughts over the past year.
Carl Jung's conception of the divided psyche is at the core of this concept, comprising four facets: thought, emotion, action, and essence. Each individual predominantly operates from one or a combination of these facets. Our understanding takes on deeper dimensions by overlaying Robert Moore's mature masculine archetypes – king, warrior, magician, and lover – onto this framework. These archetypes align with modes of thinking, doing, feeling, and being.
When considering non-reactivity, the crux of the matter directs us to embrace the essence of the king archetype. Rather than fixating on the 'how' of attaining this state – which often triggers the warrior aspect – the emphasis shifts towards cultivating 'being.' This state embodies a regal presence, akin to reigning from an inner throne, where external challenges are met with unwavering equanimity. It's about maintaining a centred stillness while navigating the tempests of life.
Rather than adhering to conventional meditation, I propose the term 'throning' to encapsulate this state of being. Much like a sovereign ruling from a throne, 'throning' signifies an unshakable centre amidst the chaos of existence. It is not a shield against adversity but a poised vantage point to engage with challenges.
Within this realm of serene endurance, revelations manifest. These revelations arise from lucid consciousness, distinct from fleeting intuitions. This mode transcends the tumult of thought, the surges of emotion, and the compulsion to act. It entails opening our eyes to the present, discerning the obscured path amidst the cacophony of our inner world.
The space between stimuli and response harbours immense power, as elucidated by Stephen Covey. This is where 'being' resides – liberated from the confines of thought, emotion, and action. Embracing the 'throning' state empowers us to unveil the concealed path amidst life's intricacies. When viewed through the lens of the regal archetype, the pursuit of non-reactivity offers a perspective that transcends the mundane and embraces the grace of equanimity.
