Personal Demons and Sirens

Odyssean Wisdom in Times of Challenges

When  our consciousness was not fully developed, thoughts were not recognized as our own creation and were attributes to external entities. They were perceived as demons or gods commanding actions to a self unaware of selfhood.

And now these remnants from our ancient archives continue to haunt us as detractors of our worthiness. Although aware they are no longer coming from external entities, they continue to challenge our pursuit of joy.

But why? Because we are the only species with the capacity to designate attribution to our internal and external experiences. Consequently, our degree of personal worthiness determines the power we give to our legacy of demons and sirens: Demons, who assault by fueling our fears, and sirens, who entice us to their path of pleasure. Knowing we are the architects of our reality, we can recontextualize our responses to virtual intruders by slaying our demons and neutralizing our sirens.

Mythology is rich with examples of how our collective psyche can overcome life challenges - and when confronting our demons and sirens - Odysseus (Ulysses) comes to the rescue. He bested his demons by cleverly detecting their weaknesses, and faced his sirens with restraints to circumvent their seductions. Then how can these ancient Homerian tales breathe life to modern mindbody science?

Knowing that demons feed on fear and sirens on hedonic pursuits, we can determine their respective terrains of meaning and draw on Odyssean wisdom. Fear is sustained by self-devaluation leading to unworthiness, whereas hedonism thrives on wavering resolute  leading to helplessness.

Odyssean wisdom liberates by cultivating self-worthiness and self-discipline. Both antidotes are within us, but remain dormant by the devaluing and weakening scripts learned from our cultural editors. Gradual embodiment of laudable actions and steadfast commitments are effective alternatives to rewards and motivation that are better suited for rat psychology. Humans make existential changes from terrains of meaning rather than working for cheese and avoiding shock.

When confronted with demons, respond by reviving archives of courage in the face of adversity, followed by decisive action. When enticed by the songs of sirens, reenact memories of restraint from immediate pleasure, followed by decisive action. And what is decisive action? The sword to slay demons with courageous self-valuing action, and the restraint to derail sirens is action that delays instant gratification.

Just as Odysseus slayed demons and survived sirens, you can best ancestral remnants of our primal consciousness with courage and restraint – not just against demons and sirens, but for any challenge that questions your worthiness. 

For more information read my new psychological novel The Phoenix Self: In Search of Methuselah