The Archetypal Frames

In my previous article I shared with you the idea of how framing influences our perception, as part of a trilogy of e-mails that moved through Attention, Intention and Frame.

It was an attempt to bring greater understanding to how we participate in the co-creation of our reality.

Today I'd like to explore frames a little further, and in particular the archetypal frames within which many of our personal narratives play out. By understanding these frames, my hope is that you will be better equipped to spot them, become a conscious framer, and therefore more empowered in your ability to create a reality you love.

The Archetypal Frames

Throughout your day, you may notice yourself moving between these frames. You might wake up feeling like the Seeker, become the Perfectionist at work, slip into the Victim after an argument, and finish the evening as the Playful parent. These frames are not fixed identities; they are fluid lenses through which we temporarily perceive ourselves and the world.

This is not about "good frames" and "bad frames". It is about becoming conscious of our frames, so that our patterns, wounds and conditioning are not directing the entire movie of our life.

By noticing these frames, we can begin to become less identified with our thought patterns, and the mind in general. When we see how quickly our experience can change through the adoption of a new frame, it becomes easier to realise:

"This isn't who I am. This is simply a frame through which I am perceiving."

The Fearful vs The Brave

(from: I turn away → to: I turn toward)

The Fearful

Deep within our biology lives a primary imperative: survival. It is a healthy instinct, and so too can be the narrative frames that accompany it.

However, this frame often reaches far beyond simply keeping us alive.

The fearful projects danger and trouble into the unknown. It tries to keep us small and out of sight. It makes us feel like prey in a predatory world.

It says:

"I'm too afraid."
"What if something goes wrong?"
"What if I embarrass myself?"
"What if I get hurt?"

It creates feelings of vulnerability and anxiety, keeping us within an ever-shrinking zone of comfort.

The Brave

The brave is not ignorant of danger, but willing to move forward in the name of truth.

It says:

"I feel the fear, and do it anyway."

It projects opportunity into the unknown. It fills us with confidence and courage, placing us within an ever-expanding zone of comfort.

It is important to remember that bravery is not the absence of fear; it is action taken in spite of its presence.

The Cynic vs The Seeker

(from: It will never happen → to: It might happen)

The Cynic

The cynic is once-bitten, twice-shy.

It can become more prominent through painful disappointments and experiences of being let down.

It says:

"This will never work."

It fears being naive, disappointed, or made to feel a fool.

So it writes everything off in an attempt to protect itself. It becomes closed, arrogant and pessimistic, leading to missed opportunities, regret, resentment and bitterness.

The Seeker

The seeker is once-bitten, twice-wise.

It stays connected to humility and possibility. It sees failures as steps in the direction of success.

When one door closes, it opens another.

It remains open, creating feelings of optimism, opportunity, motivation and wonder.

The Perfectionist vs The Playful

(from: This has to be right → to: This can be fun)

The Perfectionist

Perhaps motivated by the ability to conceive of a high ideal, the fear of not being enough, or both.

The perfectionist is a judge that tyrannises creative expression in the name of meeting its expectations.

It says:

"This isn't good enough."
"Why can't you do anything right?"

It creates feelings of frustration, despondency, inadequacy and disheartenment.

It stifles productivity and flow.

The Playful

The playful allows for experimentation.

It creates from joy, liberates the inner child, shares and moves on.

It supports self-expression and generates greater productivity.

It says:

"I enjoyed the process."
"This is fine for now."

It elicits joyfulness, light-heartedness, creativity and self-expression.

The Martyr vs The Supported

(from: I need to do this alone → to: I need help)

The Martyr

Perhaps through the pride of self-reliance, the perceived safety of not needing others, or both.

The martyr sees suffering as noble and believes that if something wasn't hard work, it cannot be worthwhile.

It sees interdependence as weakness and therefore limits collaboration.

It has difficulty receiving and often over-gives to compensate, only to resent the giving later.

It feels exhausted, burnt out, lonely, under-appreciated and misunderstood.

The Supported

The supported values the balance of giving and receiving.

It takes responsibility for its own needs and knows when to ask for help.

It appreciates ease and flow, and is wise enough to know that a problem shared is often a problem halved.

It feels connected, resourced and sustainable.

It is important to remember that these frames are often attempts at self-protection.

Rather than judging ourselves for experiencing them, we can simply notice them and ask:

"Is this the frame through which I wish to perceive this situation?"

Or:

"Is there another frame available to me?"

The lens is not the fullness of experience, but neither is the scene.

Where lens and scene meet, experience emerges.

Where the lens looks defines what comes into resolution.

Why the lens is pointed there helps us understand what we are looking for in the scene.

And how we interpret what we see creates the meaning, and corresponding emotion, that completes the experience.

Until next time,

With peace and love,

Alex