-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
imagery
on the shelf
psychospiritual approaches

definition

image: Close your eyes. Breathe in and out three times. Let yourself relax every muscle in your body as fully as it will let go. Notice that there are a few spots that really have not let go at all. Just for a moment, pretend that these knots of tension can be ignored and call up to your mind's eye, a picture of a doorway leading into your imagination. Then realize that if by chance the door is not locked, it is nonetheless very difficult to pass beyond. Return your attention to those areas of your body that refused, just a moment ago, to unwind. Then, one by one, tighten and intensify each knot and then let it go, feeling for the release, telling the constriction to let go, seeing the tightness slacken. When that little chore is taken care of, return to your image of a door, and notice how easily you fall through, deep into the world where your imagination is the wind of change and the rock of safety and the butterfly of whim. As you are there, through the doorway, basking in the light of your success, let yourself remember that there has been an unpleasantness within you, that has grown darker at times and then faded and then darkened again, never going entirely away. A depression and it doesn't really matter where it stands at the moment, it is unwelcome within you and within you it has stayed. Here, in the doorway of your triumph, you realize that this world of imagination may well hold the key for your freedom from this most enslaving of all moods. Step determinedly through the door completely and begin to explore, letting yourself be ready to encounter anything but knowing especially that an end to tyranny by depression is in store. Almost before you notice, there stands before you a small being. Every detail of Its clothing and demeanor, proclaim this to be a master of wisdom and a paragon of kindness and you rejoice, knowing that this being can and will help you transcend the mood that has held you captive for so long. Silently, this wise one hands you a tiny something and disappears again before your eyes. With no introduction, no adieu and no goodbye. You are left astonished, with wisdom's gift sitting unexplained in your hand. A chip of wood. Smoothed and oiled and well rubbed with a tiny dent worn into the middle of one side. Let your mind relax a little further and wait for the answer to this mystery to come to you. After a vast time that seems a month of valiantly not trying to bring up an answer, you notice that your thumb is moving, rubbing back and forth into the smooth groove of the wood chip's depression, when you've got it! And you begin to laugh. This is your depression, solidified, oiled, smooth and ultimately harmless, to do with as you wish. Many are the ideas that you may allow yourself to entertain, but the one that appeals to you most is simple and direct and costs you nothing. This little wood chip trophy will sit for you upon a shelf at home, an ornament to your triumph. Then allow your eyes to slowly open once again. (Chavez)

• uses: depression


footnotes