Creation and Telos
Creation stories have always been a bit of an obsession for humanity. The ancient Greeks told of the original Chaos from which emerged Gaia (the Earth) who birth Uranus (the Sky). The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) teach that God created the Earth over six days, beginning with the separation of the heavens and the earth. The tradition of Jukurrpa or “The Dreaming” of the aboriginal people of Australia describes ancestral beings (human and animal) who wandered the deserts, bringing form to the land and establishing culture.
We also tell stories of our own lives and where we come from; what has created us. How we ended up on a certain career path, with a certain person, or living in a particular area. We tell these stories in therapy as a way of understanding our individual neuroses. How we were raised with our caregivers and siblings, and life twists (chosen and undesired) shape how we relate to the world today. Often the stories include traumas, or soul wounds, that we have experienced or intergenerational traumas-the stories we inherit from ancestors. In therapy, we often go back to these stories to understand ourselves better and heal open wounds.
The creation story, however, is only half the story of our lives. The other half is telos. Telos denotes an ultimate end, or in other words, the purpose of something. The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung calls this the “What for?” question. As important as it is to look at the causes of our problems and suffering, we also must ask ourselves What is life trying to move me towards?
A depression may come over someone when they have exceeded their growth potential in their job and their gifts are needed elsewhere. A person may feel an intrusive urge to cheat on their partner when the comfort of their relationship has allowed them to avoid taking risks in their life and their creativity has been repressed. Even chronic pain can bring someone into a new way of relating to their body that begins a spiritual journey towards greater wholeness.
All of these are examples of problems that may or may not have causes such as traumas or life adversity. But each example has a telos which calls a person towards an important change-towards something new.
At first, someone having this experience will probably have no idea what the telos is; what is being called forth in them. It usually just feels like chaos and confusion. Feeling that does not mean you are doing anything wrong. A period of darkness always precedes a period of light. During these times, take care of yourself. Draw upon your supports, engage in physical activity, get the sleep you need, and remember that creation is happening.
When you heed the call of your suffering-whatever form it takes and whatever the cause of it-you are rebirthed. The story of creation continues with a new chapter-one that you did not expect and that you would not have chosen, but that is just right because it is yours.
Bearing this in mind, I want to leave you with a few words from the author John O’Donohue: “May you recognize in any suffering that comes to the door of your heart, a guest who brings you special gifts. And may you have the courage to open that door so that your lovely heart may become larger and more kind and more beautiful.”
To explore your story with a Wasatch Family Therapist, call 801.944.4555 or click this link to schedule an appointment.
