"The perspective we take has the potential to expand us into love, or contract us into fear.”
— Robert Jackman
Welcome to Fast Five, in which I ask my favorite writers five questions as a way to open the door to know more.
Robert Jackman is a psychotherapist who combines principles of mindfulness, hypnotherapy and spirituality as paths to healing. He has a private practice in Chicago, Illinois, restores his spirit in the coastal village of Yachats, Oregon, and is the author of Healing Your Lost Inner Child.
If ever we’ve needed a voice of calm reassurance and authentic peace of mind, the time is now. Please welcome Robert ‘Jake’ Jackman:
1.
After working for years as a psychotherapist, what prompted you to now write Healing Your Lost Inner Child?
I wanted to write the book for years but a part of me was apprehensive and my latent inner child wounds of not feeling good enough kept creeping in to stop the process. Then in December of 2019 I heard an interior voice say very emphatically, it's time to write the book now! Once I started to write, the flood gates opened and the manuscript developed very quickly. Gone were any of the apprehensions and now I couldn't wait to see my book in print. The material kept coming and after I sent my manuscript to my editor I still had more content that wanted to come through and that's how the Companion Workbook was born.
2.
I really appreciate your "homework" approach as a way to utilize practical tools for inner work. What key advice would you offer those working on personal growth?
For anyone considering looking at themselves introspectively remember that it takes a great deal of courage to be vulnerable. The most important advice I give people going on a journey of self-exploration and therapy is to know that they will get as much out of the process as they put into the process. The secret is to begin to listen and not be afraid of the voice coming from the shadow world of the subconscious. So much is stored within and many people push this away thinking that their own truth will swallow them whole. The other piece of advice is to trust in yourself and the wisdom you carry. Therapists are just mirrors reflecting back a person's wisdom. Too often we doubt our greatness and make ourselves smaller. You are stronger than you think.
3.
What books — or people — have influenced your professional life, and how?
Carl Jung and his lifetime of work specifically his wisdom regarding the subconscious and archetypes.
Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life. She was such a bright soul and her kind and gentle presence lives on in her words. Through her work I learned how to transform trauma wounding experiences from diminishment and sorrow to loving messages of healing and encouragement.
Michael Newton, author of Journey of Souls. His books have helped to expand my understanding of energy and life. Reading his books greatly influenced my understanding of metaphysics and helps me to rise above the fray and not be mired in the fear-based illusions that always seem to be presented to us. His work and my study of metaphysics in general have helped me gain a larger perspective in which to see the world.
4.
In these difficult days, what keeps you going?
Knowing and trusting at a deep level that this too shall pass. To deeply understand that the perspective we take, that which we are in control of, has the potential to expand us into love, or contract us into fear. When I'm inspired and have a quiet moment, I will make an intention of beaming love to everyone on the planet who may be at that time in some state of fear. My intentional meditation and trust in the unfolding events centers and calms me. And, having survived a near-death experience where I experienced waves of undulating infinite love and the resonance of a serenely deep calm with no knowledge of time, instantly calms me when I connect to this part of my memory.
5.
I'm a word collector, and keep a running list of favorite words. What are your favorite words?
erudite, magical, ephemeral, and magnanimous
Bonus Question:
What are some common things that most people do that create a great deal of stress in their lives?
Number One: Making up Stories
This is a fear based projection most people use when they haven't gotten the answer they want or they have not heard back from someone for example. We all do this and too often we make up the wrong story and then we start to believe our made up story as a fact. This pattern tends to create a lot of stress within people and is avoidable.
Number Two: Giving Power Away
When we give power away to others we lose agency within ourselves. Making others greater than, and ourselves less than, perpetuates the false illusion that we are not worthy which then creates a cycle of victimhood. This perpetuates the idea that for some reason we are not deserving of love.
Number Three: Having Unrealistic Expectations
When we project an expectation into our future we are setting ourselves up for a potential disappointment. It's almost impossible to not have expecatations and the trick is to transform the expectation into a hope or intention. We still may not get what we want, but the sting won't be as bad.
To know that we all screw up, but remember whatever decision you made that you now regret, at that moment in time it was the best decision to make based on everything you knew about yourself and life at the time. Be gentle with yourself, earth school is hard enough.