I want to talk about chickens and eggs--and much more. What I want to say is less about biology than psychology/spirituality; however, in the relationship between the chicken and the egg biology provides us with a very concrete example of my topic .
I will discuss a developmental process that is exemplified in the relationship between the chicken and the egg. One might describe the process as follows: 1) the chicken develops within the egg 2) the chicken destroys the egg 3) the chicken develops without the egg 4) the chicken creates the egg.
Timing is crucial in this process. If the egg breaks before the chicken develops, the chicken will not survive. Yet if the shell does not break the chicken will not survive. So, the egg must stay intact until exactly the right time – which is when the chicken is able to destroy the structure that once supported its development.
This relationship of the chicken and the egg is a biological version of a universal process which involves the relationship between form/structure and essence. Structure or form holds and supports a developmental process that takes place within it. Essence refers to the essential nature of the process taking place. In this example, the eggshell is the form/structure, and the developing chicken is the essence.
In the human experience, structure can refer to forms such as a relationship, a school, a career, a culture or a belief system. Some forms are external/visible, and others are internal/invisible. And, the external forms also have an internal counterpart. For example, a relationship has an external context, such as a friendship, partnership, or marriage; and yet each of these forms has an internal psychological structure within each member in the relationship. Each member views the relationship within the context of his or her own internal psychological structure.
In our human experience we have many forms that hold the development of our body, mind, and our psyche. The womb is a form that holds the human body as it develops. The family is a form that holds the developing child. A school is a form that holds developing individuals. (Our former school is referred to as our alma mater i.e., our mother).
A marriage is a form that holds our development. A career is also a form that holds our development. We have various belief systems – religions philosophies and worldviews – that also serve as forms or structures for our development. All of these forms can support our development, and yet at certain times they need to be released for our development to continue. Our physical body itself is a form intended for the development of our& soul. We need to embrace the body and yet at a particular time we will need to release the body.
In any of these developmental process’s dysfunction can arise in one of two ways. If we hold on to a structure too long, then that structure may no longer support our development – and may even be inhibiting it. There is a time when it needs to be released. We may consciously or deliberately leave it or break it down, or the breakdown may seem to be forced upon us – such as our partner wanting a divorce, or our job being terminated. The more we are attached to that particular structure, the more painful it will be when that structure breaks down.
The other type of dysfunction occurs when the structure breaks down or is left too soon. For example, if a child is being advanced to the next grade before she is ready academically, she’s likely to have great difficulty functioning – and perhaps remedial work will be necessary. Otherwise, academic, behavioral, or psychological problems can result.
I do not want to imply that it’s always easy to develop within a structure even if a particular structure does support our development. For example, perhaps a challenging relationship may be the perfect structure that we need for our development – even though it is not easy to do.
As an adult, I may find myself in a situation that I don’t like and yet it is necessary for my growth and development. If I drop the structure too quickly then I am likely to flounder in my development and may need to find a similar structure somewhere else.
As we mature psycho-spiritually we learn to release existing forms with less resistance and suffering; and we can more readily create new forms that we need for further development. Our structures become more flexible and permeable – and less rigid.
With spiritual maturity we also gain understanding as to when we need to leave a structure or to stay within it. Sometimes, rather than leave for destroy structure we may be able to modify it so that it is more supportive for our growth.
As I use the terms I am referring to external forms as well is internal, internal psychological forms and structures. Generally speaking, the forms that most often need to be released are the internal psychological forms. Sometimes the internal psychological forms can be released without necessarily destroying the extra form.
And yet, in other circumstances, the only way that development can take place internally is to make an external change, such as ending a career or marriage. Sometimes in external breakdown occurs even if we want or need it to continue that structure in our life. When this happens – painful though it may be – it is an excellent opportunity for an inquiry into the nature of self without that familiar structure. I may find that I can grow without that structure, or perhaps I can create one that is more supportive of my development.
In Part II of this essay, we will examine how this developmental principle relates to spiritual development and related practices.