Juggling Two Lives: Balancing the Outer and Inner Worlds

You live two lives: an outer life of actions and an inner, hidden life of emotions and thoughts. These inner and outer parts of you are mediated by “the psyche,” which in the context of dreams, refers to the total interaction between your mind, body, and, for some, your soul.

Your Outer Life

Throughout your day, you fulfill roles such as parent, sibling, friend, student, doctor, bus driver, teacher, or social worker. These roles define what you do, but they do not define who or what you are.

Your Inner Life

Amidst daily routines, your mind conducts a silent, internal dialogue, matching your immediate experiences with what you think and feel. These inner-to-outer "matchups" can leave you feeling conflicted or at peace. As these memories and experiences accumulate, like a stack of papers, they eventually need sorting and filing.

The Psyche as a Silent Partner

Much of your experience takes place during this private, inner dialogue, with ninety percent of your thoughts and feelings remaining unshared, even with your closest companions. The psyche, however, is fully attuned to this internal conversation and blends your inner and outer lives.

The Psyche: Connecting Inner and Outer Worlds

The psyche is your total inner self, the silent autopilot that is aware of all your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It acts as the interface between you and the world, like a best friend who always has your best interests at heart. The psyche filters, sorts, and organizes your daily input from both your inner and outer lives.

The Psyche is Composed Of:

• Mind, logic, and intellect
• The awake, conscious part that steers daily activity
• The unconscious, unaware part, bubbling with hidden urges, concerns, and emotions
• Your ideals, goals, and standards—your "inner rules" for living
• A connection to the soul, serving as a gateway to the divine when mobilized

Coping in the Fast Lane

Life moves too fast. Whether caught up in work or play, most people are constantly on the go, leaving little time to process the day’s events. At the end of a long day, the unaddressed problems and concerns posted on your inner bulletin board pile up. How do you deal with this overload when time to reflect is scarce?

See Also: Inner Self, Outer Life, Mind-Body Connection, Consciousness, Subconscious.