Tsultrim, A. (2008). Feeding Your Demons. London, UK: Hay House UK Ltd
Tsultrim has authored a book that offers an interesting mixture of ancient Eastern wisdom combined with the complexities of modern Western psychotherapy. Tsultrim’s teachings are the epitome of Carl Jung’s concepts relating to the psyche striving to balance opposing tensions to create balance and harmony.
Tsultrim suggests if we are to achieve emotional freedom and balance, all humans must face their demons of fear, addiction, stress, trauma, anger and shame. She says our demons are an obstacle to inner freedom and need to be consciously faced by giving form to the forces that drive them.
The term demon is ‘Derived from the Greek daemon or daimon, and the term originally referred to a person’s guiding spirit. The Greek daemon was a divine creature, a guiding spirit to be trusted and relied upon’ (Pg. 15). The advent of Christianity regarded Pagan practices as sacrilegious, and by the Middle Ages, mystical practices had become a lost tool to the Western world. This causes me to ask, has the Christian doctrine caused a collective unconscious disconnection, or suppression of our innate inner-wisdom?
Tsultrim takes the reader through the ancient Buddhist practice of Chod, in a five-step process of giving form, voice and conscious acceptance of the inner demons we wrestle with. By shining a light on the unconscious forces operating within, we are able to uncover the root cause of our demons and liberate ourselves from the negative energy they thrive on.
Tsultrim warns the reader of the perils we face as a collective race and the harm we inflict on our planet because of the ego’s dualistic tendency to polarize Self from other. Our internal projections have resulted in terrorism, warfare, racism and an abusive relationship towards Mother Earth. Tsultim says the answer is to transform our demons into allies so that we can better utilize the energy we expend on internal and external conflicts.
The ego is in a constant state of trying to defend and protect itself. This results in the formation of demons of defense, projection and anxiety. As we try integrate our inner and outer worlds, the ego will present obstacles to undermine the Self.
As holistic counselors, we have access to a wide variety of treatment modalities in addition to ‘feeding demons’, such as Gestalt, Jungian and art therapy processes. When a client is introduced to the right modality for their specific needs, we have an opportunity to help facilitate an empowered conscious awareness within.