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The Search for Perfection and Wholeness

Perhaps it’s time to give up perfection and strive for wholeness.

There is no reality that we can point to and say: ‘That is perfection’. Perfection is a mental ideal, and therefore it will be described or perceived to be whatever the individual mental perception of it is. The motivation for striving for perfection is to replace the perceived imperfections, lack or defects in oneself or in one’s situation. It arises from a place of non- acceptance of what is experienced in our personality or form life.

Wholeness, on the other hand, is not a mental ideal, nor is it a factual reality. Wholeness is an archetype. Archetypes are never completely or totally attainable. They are a qualitative reality, existing on the level of soul and expressed mythologically or in metaphors. Archetypes inspire, lead, support and affect any reality they touch in a number of ways. Archetypes are manifested or embraced through consciousness. In our case, the archetype of wholeness must be something that inspires us in our attitudes and approaches.

Perhaps the most significant consideration in adopting an attitude of wholeness is the inclusiveness of both positive and negative realities. Perfection excludes negative realities.

The pursuit of perfection as an ideal is a useful first step in growth processes, because it provides the incentive to focus on the positive side of reality. At some point, however, it must yield to the pursuit of wholeness, wherein our dualistic world makes sense and we can find meaning in the negative as well as the positive, seeing them both as essential.

The pursuit of perfection arises from non-acceptance of self as worthy, as good, as intrinsically divine. It is therefore an unconscious attempt to find that self which we call soul.

The pursuit of wholeness arises from a desire to connect with the oneness of all, but also to share what you value within yourself – essentially the beauty, truth and goodness you discover within your soul.

So while your consciousness is focused in the personality you will seek perfection.

What is perceived as perfection will differ according to the different personality types and temperaments. Even self diminishing or self destructive behaviour is proof of this search for perfection. When one despairs of achieving this unconscious ideal, its opposite is may typically be enacted – punish or destroy the one who cannot meet the expectation or match up to the ideal.

Soul consciousness is necessary before wholeness becomes an objective in one’s journey.

Exercises: 1. What do you seek – perfection or wholeness? Examine closely and honestly your personality’s pursuit of perfection and the areas of life in which this pursuit takes place. Examine the consequences of this pursuit on your soul’s quest for wholeness. 2. What unconscious urgings might be behind your quest? a. positive - Is there a fullness you are trying to share? b. negative - Is there a hole you are trying to fill? 3. What motivates you to move forward?

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