Up: [[Compulsion]] Course: The Spiritual Paradox of Addiction with Ashok Bedi for Jung Platform Created: 2022-11-27 Updated: 2026-04-02 ### Use Images Image predates language. See, for example, [[How to Make a Mandala]] and [[Find the Metaphor at the Root of an Addiction or Behaviour]] ### Take a Wider View Don’t spend all of your time focused on your problems. Recognize that some areas of your life are just fine. ### Let It Be Let things unfold in their own time. [[Surrender]], recognize that you are powerless, and wait for clarity before you act. This reminds me of [[Kris Kristofferson]]’s line — *Paddle with the current not against it. And when you get really good, you can throw away the oars.* Bedi comments that this is an attitude that tends to come much more naturally in the second half of life, than in the first. ### Define the Problem Defining the problem takes you 50% of the way to a solution. Get it down to one line or one word. ### Wander Bedi recommends finding a sacred place, perhaps a tree. Walk around the tree seven times, counter-clockwise, asking for guidance with the problem you have defined. In 24 hours, you will get an answer. In 7 days, you will get a detailed answer that will likely contain choices. ### Know How to Choose Saint Augustine established a formula back in 386 AD. He said consult with God, then yourself, then someone you trust. Bedi says that when you disturb that order, you are co-dependent and out of sync. ### Balance There are four sectors of life that should be balanced. Freud said there were two — love and work. Someone added play. Jung added the fourth, creativity. When all four are in balance, the fifth appears. This is the quintessence, the aura of spiritual essence. ### Other People We all need other people for lots of reasons, including to prevent early dementia. But be careful who you choose to have in your community. You are looking for the ones who are positive, uplifting and in balance at least most of the time. ### Find Your Personal Myth We have to let go of the old personal myth we’ve been living by and find a new one. See [[How to Write a Personal Myth]]