In order to heal, we have to continuously move what’s unconscious into the conscious.
But how do we do that when we don’t know what we don’t know?
We use a tool called Perception is Projection that helps us uncover those unconscious patterns, emotions, and beliefs we need to heal.
Perception is a Projection Exercise
This exercise will force you to look at what you’re projecting onto other people or situations so you can see what’s coming up for you.
1. Identify a challenging person or situation
First, think of either a situation or person you have a challenge with currently. It doesn’t have to be extreme — it could simply be something you find a little annoying or something that’s been taking up a lot of mental energy.
Maybe you have a neighbor who can get on your nerves, a client that never seems satisfied, or you’re experiencing a lot of challenges with moving or planning a get-together with friends.
2. Write everything you don’t like about it
Next, write all the qualities and characteristics that you don’t like about that person or situation.
For example, if you have a neighbor you keep butting heads with, you may write, “they’re rigid, they’re loud, they’re obnoxious, they’re grumpy, they’re angry.”
3. Write the thoughts and emotions that you have around it
The third step is to identify your own thoughts and emotions about the person or situation.
Using the neighbor example, you may say to yourself, “I’m frustrated, I’m exacerbated, I’m in disbelief, I don’t even understand what’s going on or how I manifested a neighbor like this.”
4. Reframe your thoughts and emotions
The fourth and final step is where the healing begins.
While we cannot change other people or change most situations, we can change the negative thoughts and emotions we’re having.
When you understand what you’re projecting, you’re moving that from the unconscious to the conscious, and you can now heal that aspect of yourself.
Try listening to the Perception is Projection guided meditation that will support you with this now that you’re aware of your projections.
The Cycle of Healing
The work we do is rooted in supporting you by bringing up the unconscious to the conscious so you can learn from it, heal it, and change the unconscious so your automatics are now moving you toward what you want.