Learning through Nature's Metaphors
Lessons are all around us. Opening our eyes to them is a journey of healing and delightful mindfulness that helps to distance ourselves from toxic beliefs and behaviors. To address the underlying issues effectively here is a metaphoric lesson from nature:
METAPHOR EXAMPLE:
Bizarre Marine Worm Resembles a Christmas Ornament from Hell
It is named “Eulagisca Gigantea”.
This horrifying worm has two elements going for it that create “cognitive dissonance” while observing its physical appearance. The shimmering gold bristles sparkle in the light and attract attention. You might say that the gold gives the appearance of something desirable and true.
With an eye on the beauty of this worm, one would not be paying attention to the vicious jaws hidden at its body’s end. These jaws are connected to a throat that extends out a short distance to connect and feed. This is the danger that comes with a false truth which is usually implanted at a young age and then reaches into the future of adulthood, draining the life out of its host.
For the purpose of this metaphor, the worm represents FALSE TRUTHS that we believe. There is beauty in what appears to be value in the golden bristles, and an attractive pattern of movement when the worm is in action.
False truths appear as though they truly do have value and are something to be regarded when received. Our nature is to embrace the value of these false messages without fully comprehending the wholeness of the message.
When we listen to a message that feels like truth but creates pain or sorrow, we have cognitive dissonance. We believe two opposing things at the same time which results in conflicting thoughts. Attempting to maintain some semblance of balance, we will default to embrace one of the beliefs over the other, but a conflict will always rise up because they oppose each other.
False lies are presented to us in an unending flow of messages that, if left unchecked, become an ingrained belief. Common false truths are not always taught but are caught by way of observing others who are living through their false truths. False “truths” are reinforced in a steady flow through social media, advertising, and political or religious messages delivered with the purpose to control and manipulate. (Be careful to understand the difference between false religious messages and a true spiritual relationship with God.)
These messages have to do with your worth. Whether they address your skin color, your personality style, talents, skills, the way you talk or sing, what you do or do not know … the message is the same “NOT GOOD ENOUGH!”
When this message is never noticed, let alone questioned, it affects everything we do and are afraid to do. Our soul intuitively knows differently and rises up when our mind embraces this message.
The way we can know if this lie is present is by noticing patterns of anger, lashing out, sensitivity to offenses, anxiety, fears, and even physical ailments that result in issues such as insomnia and disease.
Our soul knows we have value. We know our own hearts and motives. But the temptation to believe what we fear most (I’m not worthy) battles with what our hearts know. This creates anxiety, double-mindedness, indecision, and more. Depression, hopelessness, and despair thrive in such a negative mindset. To find balance, we will either embrace our value and stop listening to the lies, or we will embrace the lie and give up.
If you’ve found yourself fighting this cognitive dissonance or are in a place of paralysis, check out this EMERGENCY TOOLBOX FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T THINK.
Here is the worm in nature
What other metaphors can you see, just from this one nature example?
Share your insights and comments below. Here are three questions that will help you think metaphorically.
- What behavior does the worm display when it feels threatened by something greater than itself?
- How many disguises might this worm present?
- How do you think it hunts for its food supply?
Now apply your answers to human behavior, in yourself, or from observing others.