What does Pandora have to with anything?

Psychological Perspectives

 

August 1, 2019

Photo provided

Ken Silvestro, PhD. 677-7282 • seeleylakeinst@hotmail.com

Well, given the condition of our country and other countries in the world, I'd say everything!

The Pandora myth involves Pandora's Box - although originally, it was a jar. In the sixteenth century, jar was mistranslated to box and since then, it has continued to be part of the myth. For this article, it is most important to understand what Pandora and the box represent.

Pandora, meaning all-giving, was originally formed as a woman with the ability to spew evil upon the world. Chaos and difficulties were contained within her jar or box. When she opened her box, out came an unlimited amount of difficulties: "the earth and the sea were full of evils." One item, however, remained in her box – HOPE.

Remember that myths, like dreams, are symbolic expressions from the human psyche, and each are expressed through our psychologies. As such, people live-out these unconscious (hidden psychological) symbols and, unfortunately, often understand each symbol as having a fixed meaning.

Given that our country and other countries seem to be full of tension and chaos, ranging from climate change to governmental issues, and that unprecedented arguing, accusations and blaming are reported every day in the local and global news, we must understand these difficulties as the contents of Pandora's open box. Chaos, misrepresentations and misunderstandings are spewing everywhere in the world. For many, many people, it is almost unbearable to live with these tensions and difficulties. I am often asked: How will we overcome these difficulties and find some peace and harmony?

Of course, it is extremely difficult to answer this question, but it seems that the Pandora myth provides us with one possible answer. We must find a way to open her box and release the HOPE.

At the very least, we must all find the hope within our psychologies to move the difficulties and chaos from life back into Pandora's box. To do this, commitment and desire for the betterment of humanity, not just for certain individuals, is required. It can be done!

The Pandora myth is active in our lives. The key is to change what has been released in the world. The hope that remained in Pandora's box was left there for us to discover, retrieve and use. If we do so, the current difficulties occurring throughout the world would return to her box. If we all assume this responsibility, we can make this country and the world more peaceful. We will all benefit and we will all become more conscious (that is, aware).

 

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