Laestrygonia.
Each of us has our own private Laestrygonia. a private CIA, a land of doubt and worry. We doubt other people, their motives, competence, and allegiances. How will I be done in? Can I trust others? And most of all, we doubt ourselves and our abilities and our authority to act…. This means facing the shadow without compromise, which requires real courage.
~ Michael Goldberg, Travels With Odysseus*
lent, week 3
Lent is a time of honest assessment and reflection. Where do you feel close to God, living in your True Self? Where do you feel estranged from yourself or under threat, internally or externally? The single greatest danger in the Journey Home is the temptation to fall asleep to our lives… and either wander aimlessly or be seduced onto trails with dead ends. Sometimes we actually feel beleaguered by life itself, like the sky is raining boulders of calamity all around us. We all know the icy fingers of fear that can creep up our backs with threats real and imagined. Lent is an invitation to name those fears and respond with courageous discernment.
The great theologian Paul Tillich says that “courage is presence of mind in the presence of fear.” This is one of the essential lessons we learn on the Long Journey Home.
On Odysseus’ next island, he and his crew face the monstrous Laestrygonians who immediately launch a preemptive attack, raining down great stones that crush both soldiers and ships with catastrophe. In fact, only Odysseus’ personal ship and crew escape this apocalyptic encounter, and they limp back out to sea with a fraction of their force. How do you know if you are stuck in Laestrygonia? When the world feels dangerous, when everyone is suspect, and when you’ve lost your sense of direction.
This is the shadow side of the Enneagram Six energy, and whether this is your native Type or not, we all get a turn in this space. By the way, all the pitstops on Odysseus’ journey embody the negative sides of our Types—the listlessness of the Lotus Eaters (9s), the brutishness of the Cyclopes (8s), the indulgences of the Aeolians (7s), and now the paranoia of the Laestrygonians (6s). These are our anxious coping mechanisms, our acting out against the things we fear most. But they are not our True Selves, not the essence of our Types. At our best, Nines are connected, Eights are protective, Sevens are joyful, and Sixes are courageous and loyal… and we’re only halfway “Home” through our Types.
This year through Lent, we are getting in touch with all nine energies as divine resources for our earthly journeys. What a gift!
Is the Six energy timely for you? If you’re feeling lost and anxious, place your attention upon the indwelling Holy Spirit and her faithful comfort and guidance. It’s like an inner GPS to lead you forward toward your next destination. The Six energy also empowers you to extend yourself warmly and forge authentic alliances with legitimate partners. Let go of worst-case scenarios and trust your inner authority.
“All is well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.” ~ Julian of Norwich
growing your soul
Breathe. Whisper “all” on the inhale… “is well” on the exhale. Relax. In your mind’s eye, see the face of God looking at you with endless kindness. Receive the love and provision of the Spirit. You are not alone.
serving our world
It’s impossible to love or care for others when you’re focused on self-preservation. Choose gratitude instead… and then extend yourself with generosity.
takeaway
Be Courageous.
*Michael Goldberg, Travels With Odysseus. I’m taking much of my inspiration in this series from his book. I recommend it!