photo: Lori L. Stalteri on flikr
Step aside Carl Jung. Step aside Ken Wilbur. There’s a new psycho-spiritual theorist in town and her name is . . . . Dr. Z!
It doesn’t matter that I’m not actually a doctor. That didn’t stop me from coming up with a new theory that totally explains the entire scope of human spiritual and psychological development.
Not only that, it’s based on elves. You heard me right – elves. Those little creatures who run around in pointy shoes and hats and occasionally sell cookies on TV.
Elves!
Sure, my version of “elf” is heavily influenced by Western culture, specifically the television of my childhood. But like any good theorist, I’m using a simplified – and arguably superficial – model to explain a complex and ultimately unexplainable phenomenon.
Remember, I’m a “doctor”! You can trust me!
Are you ready? Here goes.
Most theories of human spiritual development like to harp on about the ego. You know, that pesky little sucker that thinks of itself as separate from the Divine.
The ego gets a bad rap in spiritual circles. It’s like this demon we want to get rid of.
photo: Orin Zebest on flikr
But what if it wasn’t so bad after all? What if we rebranded the ego into something more palatable, something more . . . loveable?
Enter the elf.
Any spiritual theory that’s worth its salt will tell you that we’re all One. There’s only one power and one energy in the Universe, and this one power makes up all things, including human beings. We are each an inextricable part of the whole.
Part of us knows this. Let’s call that part the Self. The Self is intimately connected to the All and never loses this connection.
But what happens when we forget? What happens when the big “S” of Spirit appears to leave our lives?
See where I’m going here?
Take the S out of Self, and you’re left with . . . elf!
The elf is the part of us who’s lost sight of the big “S,” who thinks it’s separate from Spirit. The elf is the part of us that goes to sleep and thinks that it’s all alone, fighting for survival without allies.
The elf is the ego, but cuter.
You know how Nature makes baby animals really adorable so that their parents keep them around?
photo: Bri Lehman on flikr
It’s like that.
Referring to the ego as an elf is good for three reasons.
1. Elves are adorable!
How can you hate an elf? The impish grin, the zany knickers, the inexhaustible industriousness!
The part of us that sees itself as separate and alone needs love, not condemnation. Whenever we denounce this part of ourselves, we find ourselves that much further away from the Divine. The only way back to Oneness is through love. Embracing the “elf self” helps us get there.
2. Elves can’t do much damage.
They’re elves! They’re only two feet tall! Those pointy little shoes aren’t doing any harm.
It’s the same with our elf self. Our elf self thinks it’s separate and alone. It thinks it’s been irreparably torn from Goodness, and that everything it does only increases its sense of loneliness and isolation.
Not so fast, little elf.
The sense of separation from Love is an illusion. The elf thinks it’s lost its S, but it hasn’t. Spirit is there all along, like Dorothy and Kansas, like fish in the sea, like the tasty cookie wafer surrounding the delicious creamy filling.
photo: Kelly Bailey on flikr
When we view our scared little self as an elf, we’re reminded of its essential ineptitude. In a good way.
We can’t hurt the Divine. And we can’t hurt our connection with the Divine.
No matter what the elf says.
3. Elves are hard working.
They never quit! Do you want five thousand cookies manufactured by tomorrow? The elves are on it! Do you want seven billion Christmas toys delivered by yesterday? Done!
In the same way, the ego is always on the job, serving us in the path toward greater realization. Seeing our ego as an elf reminds us how hard this part of us is working. It reminds us to appreciate the inexhaustible efforts on our behalf.
Sure, the elf gets in snags and snares all the time. Primarily because of fear. But ultimately, the industriousness of our elf has a purpose: to take us Home. And loving this scared, little part of us is the best way to get there.
So there you have it!
A new way to view the previously maligned and misunderstood ego. The Elf Theory of Spiritual Growth brings back the love! The fun! The knickers!
So here’s a prescription from Dr. Z:
The next time you catch yourself acting out of a sense of separation or fear, remember to view that part of yourself as an elf. A cute, little, well meaning-and-ultimately-misguided elf.
Once you’ve firmly established this view, your task is to love it. Love the elf! Tickle its chin. Rub its little belly. Read it a bedtime story. The one about the lonely elf who finds a special human to love and care for it.
Got it? Good. Now, take two elves and call me in the morning.
photo: Mikko Luntiala on flikr
How have you rejected your elf self? And how have you learned to love it?
Wow, wow, wow and wow! A student of Carl Jung’s work and Ken Wilber back int the 90’s, it was pure joy reading these thoughts from the Divine World Mind expressed through one known as Dr. Z. Thank you! The Mothering aspect of World Mind was my mentor known as Sue E. in the International Harp Therapy Training Program. None finer! This link will be passed along and for all those with eyes to see and hears to hear and mind to apprehend, may they feel the blessing of peace and love that is raining down, in, upon and through us all.
Sarah, also known as little ba
(for the ancient Egyptians this would be, little soul)
Hi Sarah!
Welcome to the world of the goofballs. How wonderful to hear from you!
The Mothering aspect of the World Mind told me that you had enjoyed what the Elves had to say and I am most delighted to see you here.
I love “little ba,” by the way. What a beautiful name.
XOZ
Good morning, Z! happy tuesday! the early squirrel gets the nut. 😉 so how have i rejected my elf? i have punished myself for feeling separate or acting out of fear. i’ve damned myself to metaphysical hell over it. “what’s in my consciousness that i am feeling separate and acting out of fear? what’s wrong with me?” AND i am learning to forgive myself for being wherever i am at at any given moment. usually. i don’t go too far off center anymore but when i do, i have a support system. i run it by a friend who will remind me of my Truth. like that. i can let it be OK. and i continue to expand my awareness of my unity with life so that i don’t react from a place of elfishness as frequently.
have a great day! you’re pretty dope, dr. z!
Squirrel!!
Oooooh. Metaphysical Hell sounds bad! There are probably WAY too many books there. And you have to read them ALL. Yikes.
Sounds to me like you have a wonderful support system. 🙂 A priceless gift.
Love to you. And your elf!
XOZ
This is SOME theory, alright! (Science of Mind–Elf-version) I love it! Makes sense to me. 🙂
I don’t create these things. I just report what shows up in my head. My guess is that this one was dictated by invisible elves. . . .
Love this one!! I’m constantly reminding the ego bashers — that It must act the way they think It does —
& I love Holmes definition in the SOM glossary — check it out!
Hi Angelica!!
I just checked it out. Again. I remember being surprised when I first read that definition. But it’s really beautiful. Thank you for the reminder!
XOZ
Adorable analogy – love it! I’m embracing my elf self (so clever and it works!). Thank you ZZ!
Hi Marcy,
I’m not surprised that you like the elf version of the ego!! 😉 It’s all about the little magic people!!
XOZZ
Thanks, Doc. I needed that!
You’re welcome! Just doing my job. 😉
I heart you!
I heart YOU. And your little elf too!
Once again, you nailed it, Dr Z!!!!
Thanks, Fran. I can take your blood pressure too, if you’d like. . . .
Thanks Dr. Z!! That is beautiful and so easy to work with. It fascinates me that I’ve been actively working with loving litlte self this last week or so. I had a dream about 7 years ago that felt very profound at the time but I’d forgotten it. This last week my sister said something to me that reminded me of the dream and loving my little self. The dream went like this: I was in my house and this darling little girl was in my living room. She was about 3 with dark, softly curled hair. She was playing, laughing, being silly and cute. Then she accidentally broke some object. I didn’t care about the object and its demise, I just loved her with all my heart. At that moment I woke up and heard a voice say, “That is how God loves you.” Now I’m going to combine that dream and the picture of the elf and love me. Thanks Z!!! XO
Hi Patty,
What a sweet dream! I’m so glad that you were able to remember it. What a powerful image to work with. That’s awesome.
My own experience with focusing on loving myself has been extremely beneficial to every area of my life. Seeing myself as a little kid has been part of that. And now the elf!!
Thanks for dropping by!
XOZ
Z, I love it. Already I’m digging the elf on a whole new level—racally as she may be. And you’re right about the adorability of the zany knickers (I love the word “zany,” it’s WAY underused).
Zany is one of my favorites. A lot of those words – wacky, nifty, dandy, zany – are way underused. And then there’s “jim dandy.” I’m going to work on bringing that one back as well.
Happy Elf-Loving!!
Hey Dr. Z. When I was a kid…..way back in the 70’s my Dad took his Datsun 280Z to a mechanic aptly named “The Z Doctor”. Maybe you’re related 😛
Hi Georgia!
We probably are related. I’m amazed how many people tell me that they know someone else named Z. Apparently there are a lot of us out there.
Z Tribe!
XOZ
Twilight Zone!!! I have actually played an elf several times in productions and on street corners pushing bad candy at children. I can totally relate. It is the naive and discombobulated one that cannot figure things out easily. My son used the phrase ‘feeling tiny’ when he was down with a bug or just feeling low. I do feel tiny at times, and everything else feels tall and too hard to reach. Thanks for helping me understand my elf-self. I do love her, and listen to her fears. Now I can adjust my attitude and love her through the fear, After all, size isn’t important, and love is ever strong. Love you Dr. Z, wisdom translator from solar regions afar. You are ZDlightful!
LaLaLaLaLa,
I really like ‘feeling tiny.’ I mean, I’m not saying that I love the feeling. But I do love the phrase. It really sums it up. And automatically makes me feel sweetness for whomever is saying/feeling it.
Love to you and your tiny elf!
XOZ
LOVE THIS! So funny and so true. Thanks for the laugh and the wisdom Z!
Hi Lili Elf!
Glad you enjoyed it!
XOZ