In examining ourselves, we might find it useful to look at distinct aspects of our personality.  For example, we might have an artist within and a critic within, and these two battle within our psyche causing stress and confusion.  If we try to ignore or quash the voice of either the artist or the critic, we’ll continue to be haunted with this conflict, and the aspects will come out of shadow in inappropriate ways.  These voices have gifts for us, and deserve to be heard and honored.  One way to do that is through a written dialogue between you and the voices.  This can be done in your journal in a stage play format.  To continue with the example above:

• Me:     I want to talk to the critic.  (Nothing.)  Calling the critic.  Are you there?  (Nothing.) Well, is the artist around?
• Artist:     Here I am.
• Critic:     Get back in there, you!
• Me:     Critic, what do you want?
• Critic:     Shut up!
• Me:     I’m listening.  It sounds like you’re angry.  What’s going on?
• Critic:     You think you’re an artist.  You don’t know what you’re doing.
• Me:     Well, can you give me a minute to talk to the artist?
• Artist:     I’m scared.
• Me:     I know you’re scared.  I’ll take care of you….

You get the idea.  You can do this with the good or bad father part of you, the good or bad mother parts, your positive masculine or feminine energy, or whatever voices you sense.  You may find some new voice creeps into the conversation, and you’re not sure what to make of this new energy.  Some questions to ask the voices are:

•  Who are you?
•  What do you want?
•  What role do you play here?
•  What are you trying to protect?
•  How do you feel?

For the above example, my critic serves to protect me from outside criticism by keeping me from trying.  I find it useful to believe that no part actually means to hurt us, that each wants what’s best for us, like a father, but some serve us from a misguided, destructive way.  And like a father, the critic wants to be honored and respected.  The thing to do here is to say, “Critic, I thank you and honor you for trying to protect me from getting hurt.  Your harsh criticism isn’t serving me well now.  I need you to back off so I can create some art.  I will continue to honor you and recognize the gift of careful analysis that you offer.  For your part, I want you to lower your voice, speak less, and be more respectful.”

Let me know if you’d like some guidance on this process.