Growth explained through a quote
What does growth mean to you? Today, I will talk about growth through the a quote from the book ‘Demian’ by Herman Hesse below:
In order to explain this quote, we need to know the significance of the word Abraxas. Abraxas is an old entity that has appeared in different mythologies such as Greek, Egyptian, Gnostic and Persian. In 1916, the term Abraxas was given a philosophical meaning by Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung who used the name to describe a process referred to as individuation (a journey to maturity, self actualization and oneness).
This process also involves the union of opposites within an individual. For example, everyone has an angel and a devil in them, everyone has yin and yang in them, masculine and feminine energies exist in us all. Nobody is one dimensional. In psychoanalysis, Abraxas represents an individual that embraces the opposites within oneself, all the other different sides of him/herself and thus a higher level of self actualization and maturity.
Basically, Abraxas is a symbol for growth.
The bird and the egg represent a situation in which an individual has remained stagnant for a long time. Stagnation creates a shell that brings forth a comfortable environment around the person. Stay in the shell too long and one becomes rigid.
The bird breaking out of the egg represents the individual finally breaking out and striving to reach the next level in his or her life. Where he or she may create another shell that they would have to break out of. And the cycle continues. This shows that growth is a process of learning and unlearning, breaking to rebuild again, trading the old for the new. This is the law of equivalent exchange, growth in many ways is much like alchemy.
One of the interpretations of this quote is that one must break free of all constrictions in order to grow and take a step further in self actualization.
Also, when I think of growth, I think of a serpent’s nature. Modern religions have bashed the age old epitome of fluidity and vitality.
She sheds her skin and emerges a new. She embraces the cycle of life, death and rebirth. She represents vitality, sensuality and fluidity.
-Olde Town Acupuncture and Wellness Centre
In my view, growth mimics the way of the serpent. To aim to better oneself, and shed old skin regularly. To maneuver and glide through life with fluidity, and to constantly adapt and renew oneself.
So what does growth mean to you? And what symbolizes growth for you?
Originally published at http://kerensarahobara.com on October 5, 2020.
