Metaphors of the inner world are pictures that display certain characteristics of the inner world. This or that way of seeing, the individuality of the pictures speaks of the peculiarities of the inner world. Usually the most telling metaphors are:
- Field
- Forest
- River
- Mountains on the horizon
- Let
- House
- Theater stage
Field — time of year, cultivated or wild cereals. Is there anyone else there? This is your inner world.
Forest — is it transparent, is there a desire to enter? What would you be afraid of if you entered? Three roads: a concrete road (directly to the goal), a winding path (both to the goal and to hang out), through the forest directly (without a path).
River. The speed of the flow is the dynamics of the inner life. Depth — can you see the bottom? (does not see — there is no intelligibility of oneself. Transparent water — clarity of oneself). Shores — steep or gentle — contact with others. Where it flows — into the sea (if you think about death), into the same river — we are friends, into a stronger one — we find a strong partner. The dam — life is like behind a stone wall, but life has frozen. Where does the river originate — from a pure source or from a swamp (relation to the parental family).
How will you cross the river — wade or by boat, or will you build a bridge?
Mountains on the horizon — goals and vision of life.
Let. Wall. What is the strategy to bypass? Dig under (over-dramatization. Don’t dig)? Bypass (more realistic). Jump over (self-confidence) Fly over or Walk through the wall — the most fun decisions.
House. See Metaphor House of the Soul
You are on stage. What genre of play are you playing? Your role (main or secondary, front or back, observer or extra, screenwriter or director. Or you don’t see yourself at all). Who applauds you?
Favorite fairy tale.
You are in an antique shop.