Overwhelmed: Follow the Numinous
It is human nature to seek understanding and knowledge. We have innate curiosity leading us toward more comprehension. We also have a deep need for some sort of control. So we like to compartmentalize, categorize, and organize things in order to make sense of such things. This is our way of understanding and having a sense of agency.
Then came 2020.
Within a few short months we as a collective have been exposed to events offering a dismantling and changing of several systems in our world. With a global pandemic, consistent political turmoil, economic uncertainty, and the confronting of deep seated racial inequities existent in our nation for hundreds of years, we have begun to examine various systems from health care to policing policies.
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times in the last several months for me where understanding has been lost and overwhelm has been my primary state. There are so many things happening and calling my attention, at times it has been difficult to dig in to any one thing. I have even felt moments of apathy in my overwhelmed state of mind.
But then I remember to sit in stillness and listen.
I spend a lot of time talking with clients and encouraging them to go within, listening to what calls them, and keeping steps small. When we get overwhelmed and yet want to be active in the change that is possible, it is hard to know where to start. If we can quiet the internal and external messages by meditating and maybe turning off social media or news media, we can often tune in to our own intuition, our internal guidance system.
Recently I was listening to the attached podcast, an interview with Dr. James Hollis who is a Jungian analyst, professor and author. I was struck by his idea of following the numinous to reframe suffering and find it’s meaning. I had not heard the term “numinous” before, but I was completely drawn to the word and its meaning. After Hollis’ explanation, I believe this is the path to make meaning of the chaos currently happening in our world.
Numinous is something that calls to us. It beckons us or stirs some resonance or response. The example Hollis used to describe numinous was when you see a painting that creates an emotional response. I immediately understood the feeling of numinous when I thought of my reaction to music. When I first hear a song or a melody, it can be a numinous experience. Numinous is the process of listening to our intuitive voice and noting the emotional reaction.
When thinking about numinous during this current climate, think about what calls to you. Hollis describes an emotional breaking down and openness during times of suffering. Perhaps this is a lost time or “in between” time as he calls it. During this distress people may experience confusion and despair. It is during this time that Hollis encourages us to follow the numinous.
You may be wondering how to listen to the numinous within. Again, I would suggest meditation or perhaps journaling. Give yourself some quiet time to see what arises. Keep note of themes or incidents that stand out in your day to day life. Watch for times you are pulled toward something emotionally. If you allow yourself to listen to the wisdom within, you will find the path through the suffering, reduce overwhelm, and perhaps even find meaning to the chaos.