For the longest time, when I would think of self-improvement and the modes by which to achieve it, my mind would look to two archetypes: The Farmer and the Sculptor. In light of reading Iron John by Robert Bly, a new archetype has emerged – the Miner. Each entity takes a different approach to growth and self-actualization while facing its own unique challenges.
So what is each archetype’s approach to growth as I see it?
The Farmer plants his seeds of change with the hope that one day, they will grow and bear fruit for him to harvest. Like with anything that is planted, it requires a consistent level of care. A farmer must water his crops or his seeds will never sprout but the work doesn’t end there. He must continue to water and care for those sprouts so they mature into full grown crops. However, for anyone who has grown plants before, you know that you can do everything right and your plants can die at any stage of the process for no reason at all. The same is true when you plant your seeds of change. Some seeds will grow faster than others, if at all, some may mature fully, but never produce anything. It is the forces of nature which a Farmer is at the mercy of, which can help or hinder his growth. Should a Farmer be unable to reap everything which he had sewn, then he must try again for the next planting cycle or at a later date. Whatever seeds of change produced something, it’s imperative to harvest those fruits.
The Sculptor takes much longer than the Farmer to bring about change. He is responsible for taking a marble block with no shape or purpose and by chiseling away at it, produces something beautiful. Unlike the Farmer, who is at the mercy of nature, the Sculptor has more control over his process. Because of this control, he must be more intentional in his actions with every stroke of his chisel. Patience, intention, and vision fuel this archetype because a Sculptor knows great things can’t be rushed. As such, when a subject matter calls for it, chipping away at your growth, like a Sculptor does to marble, is an option. In a world where everything must be delivered immediately, the slow grueling process of the Sculptor is not appealing and can seem like mental torture. To combat this, it is important to understand the vision for the growth otherwise, you will have statue still trapped within a marble block.
Finally, the Miner, the newest archetype to consider when pursuing personal growth. The Miner digs into the depths in search of riches all while navigating the danger which lie within. In mythology, the hero must take a trip to the underworld so he may reemerge a new man and more powerful than he was before. The treasure the Miner seeks is the gold which resides in an unknown location underground. Gold in mythology sometimes refers to genius, gold shines like the sun which is associated with wisdom and power. In order for the Miner to attain his golden prize, he must overcome what the hides in the dark. In Iron John, it is instructed that one must traverse the depths of their deep psyche to uncover the wound which causes deep seeded anguish in our lives. Overcoming this wound reveals the cavern filled with gold. It’s no secret that we all carry burdens which hold us back and impair out ability to be fuller individuals. Overcoming our wounds, the dangers of we face in the underground, will allow us to find our genius and become extraordinary people. Compared to the Farmer, the Miner has less control over his process because he is wandering aimlessly, blinded in the dark, spending all his time exploring and prospecting hoping he can find some clue as to where the gold is. This is why I think digging illustrates the journey perfectly because until you find your bearing or clues where to go, it’s all aimless trial and error. However, not all hope is lost. Miners back in the day used to bring canaries with them into coal mines as an early warning system for poisonous gas. The canaries would die first, signaling the area ahead was dangerous. A Miner’s canary can come in many forms, like an over passionate outburst when upset or tensing up at something specific. Instead of running away, the Miner pursues these warning signs to the source because he knows that is where his wound is and also the gold he seeks. Even without a canary, a Miner may discover a thin sliver of gold which to follow and that will still lead him to the same destination because inevitably, to attain a higher level of being, we must conquer the obstacle which will come stand in our way.
Our journey along the path of growth will require different approaches based on the subject matter. How you approach each subject matter is up to you and what archetype is most effective is left up to trial and error. One thing is certain; growth requires patience, time, and effort.
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