The ancient myth of Eros, or Amor, and Psyche, reignited my passion for myth, archetype and story, when I was embarking on the soft launching of Loving Psyche. And, given that I often recommend Autumn and Spring as good times for seed sorting, I thought I would impart some of Psyche’s story, and what it may mean instructionally, before a new solid season is about to begin.
For those of you who may not know, ‘Psyche’ means Soul. And Psyche is also the Greek Goddess of the Soul. I came across Psyche’s Greek myth story shortly after I had named my business, serendipitous to describing the Loving Psyche mission. Because the myth focuses on the developmental tasks needed to become whole.
And that is a task relevant to every person, and leader, in every arena. To become whole, and consequently, to create, a whole world.
Psyche had developmental tasks to achieve to succeed. You and I have tasks too. And I will focus on Psyche’s first task for you.
To sort the seeds.
Psyche had to spend the night in a granary filled with seeds of different sorts, and to sort them by daybreak.
It sounds like those overwhelming and competing deadlines, or life event times, that you may find familiar. As it paints a picture, of pressure.
And what that means in modern day is to choose, what is right for you, in the whole scheme of things, that are affecting you. Learning how to set priorities and decide on what really matters to you, your family, your work or business and team, and your surroundings.
Fortunately for Psyche, when she grew most hopeless, ants appeared and taught her how to sort them, and helped her in need.
It gives a relevant message, like all good myth stories do, about making choices more lovingly to succeed, getting help when you need, taking care of what’s important and critical in dealing with the complexities of life and people. Deciding how to move forward.
And in sorting your seeds as a leader you may think about yourself in a new way. Lovingly, humanly, and the why of your leadership. Because your fulfilment is vital, to you, and your work, and reflects on the people and world around you.
So how do you do that pragmatically?
- Love Yourself. You are your strength and foundation. Sort your needs and wants. Look honestly at what’s good and where you are unhappy. Make changes. Increase your happiness vibration with self-development, enjoyment, and self-care. And while loving yourself can be challenging as you are confronted by uncertainties … redundancies, sickness, changing relationships, uncertain profitability or income, numerous things, requiring resetting daily, you may need to call on help when you’re in need. To sort your priorities, and invest in your well-being. Each cycle of your life, and each event can test you, and your limits as a human being. Tune in to what makes you happy, peaceful, and fulfilled, and amplify it regularly.
- Love Your family. Your family is anyone who you care for deeply. How you invest in relationships with them, in time and interest, is a significant consideration for sustaining affection. And, if you are a parent, that is your dharma, or purpose. Having children changes you, your life and what you do. And each change in the family paradigm requires adjustments. Having a baby, starting school, separations, illness, HSC exams, squabbles and romances, require good support systems around you so you can lead them effectively too. Consider living more simply, so that the time you spend together can be experienced more appreciatively. Prioritise what’s important to each of you.
- Love Your Work. Is your work, or some of it’s features, right for you? How aware are you of your likes, and dislikes, and in your relationships with those around you? And because work is where you spend much of your directional time, acting with purpose in the world, you may want to be sure of your values? Of what gives you flow? Of what inspires you? And who you serve? Capitalise on your strengths, and look at where you need to grow. Stocktake, individually, and with those around you. And consider your allies, partners, and supporters, who increase your collective potential for consistently creating work that is valuable.
- Love Your Surroundings. Just like you, the earth and built environment provides a contribution too. And, just like you, others around you feel, love, hurt, and have a purpose too. Embrace them in your considerations as a part of the extension of the world that you create. Think of what you consume. And how you can use resources more consciously. Choose suppliers, products and processes that enhance you and the future in beauty, longevity, safety, and activity.
And don’t worry if you fall short of perfecting, because you get to improve around your Mandala of Wholeness regularly. It changes, while you change too, in the progressive evolving, that is right for you. Because wholeness is an outcome, and a process too.
If you are seeking coaching assistance with your own Loving Psyche Mandala of Wholeness, and sorting the seeds for yourself, your people, or your workplace, feel free to contact me for a discussion on coaching programs that might suit your needs.
SaraSwati Shakti
The Loving Psyche Mandala of Wholeness guides coaching discussions to optimally deal with triggers that are presenting in the moment, while keeping an eye on the goals needed, throughout the coaching process.
It is a holistic model developed by SaraSwati Shakti following years of coaching people through change, transition and leadership improvement. It encompasses the many areas that impact life, and affect leadership development and style.
Working around it intuitively unblocks a range of derailers, and engages with a mindful awareness of the next actions needed to be taken for real, vital, ongoing growth and development.