Grubbs, Geri
THE SELF AND ITS EVOLVING HEAVEN AND HELL MANIFESTATIONS
Woodinville, Washington

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 16, Number 2, 2007

KEY WORDS: Bhagavad Gita, mandala, ego-Self relationship, evil, heaven, hell, Sandplay therapy, Self, Self-trays, wholeness, clinical example, young adult, woman, Kalsched, Jung, Kalff, numinous, self-manifestation, dark, ego-Self axis.

ABSTRACT: The Self, its revelation in the Bhagavad Gita, relationship to the ego, spontaneous expressions in sandplay, and as a totality that includes both good and evil are the focal points of this article. The author presents her observations of the transformative nature of Self trays, referring to them as the ego in relationship to the Self at a particular moment, and shows in what ways the dark or evil side of the Self is also expressed. When recognized as such, she has found that it allows for the ego-Self relationship to transform from its constellation with the dark side to one of illumination, reconciliation and wholeness.