Chapter 1: The Concept of Symbolization

Symbolization involves using symbols to convey deeper meanings or ideas. For instance, the eagle represents the United States, highlighting how tangible symbols can reflect abstract concepts. This unique human trait allows us to replace direct images with idealized forms based on minimal similarities. The process of symbolization serves as an unconscious mechanism where one object or idea represents another without conscious recognition.

Language acts as a powerful symbol that helps us designate objects, emotions, and actions in our lives. Mastery of this symbolic language has been pivotal in the evolution of the human psyche, enabling the transition from primitive to modern humans. Children begin to articulate sounds early on, expressing emotions such as aggression or affection. It is the mother’s role to accept these sounds and gradually help transform them into structured speech.

In examining symbolization more closely, I will reference the film "The Miracle Worker" (1962), which depicts the life of Helen Keller, who lost both her sight and hearing after an illness at the age of 19 months.

The film portrays an adolescent girl whose mental development has stagnated since she was one-and-a-half years old due to the loss of her primary senses. Her chaotic behavior reflects the disorder within her psyche; lacking any grasp of speech or boundaries, she embodies confusion and a complete lack of self-awareness. Despite her challenges, she exhibits a primitive form of symbolization, often manifesting as a symbolic equation. For instance, when she feels distressed, her surroundings appear equally dismal, leading her to lash out destructively. Conversely, when near a nurturing figure, she may express love through aggression, revealing her internal struggles with emotional expression and self-concept.

The visiting teacher undertakes the immense task of teaching Helen language, navigating her aggressive impulses with patience. This dynamic illustrates Helen's struggle as she oscillates between seeking comfort from her "good" mother and fleeing from her "bad" teacher—a clear representation of her inner turmoil. Lacking an understanding of boundaries, Helen desperately needs them, yet she simultaneously resists their establishment.

This scenario parallels therapeutic relationships with borderline clients, who often cannot accept the complexity of their emotions and instead categorize experiences as purely positive or negative. Therapists must endure boundary violations while helping clients articulate their feelings and behaviors, guiding them toward understanding and acceptance.

Theoretical frameworks in psychoanalysis propose that a paternal figure introduces necessary boundaries that disrupt the symbiotic relationship between mother and child. This critical stage, which occurs between ages three and five, lays the foundation for healthy psychological development. The teacher serves as this "third" entity in Helen's life, imparting the significance of symbols and the ability to communicate through language, ultimately empowering her to manage her emotions with words instead of actions. “Everything that’s inside you, Helen, it’s all waiting for its time to come out,” the teacher emphasizes, highlighting the transformative power of language.

By establishing a structured relationship with Helen and setting firm boundaries, the teacher provides her psyche with experiences essential for growth. By the film’s conclusion, Helen’s ego matures from a simplistic symbolic equation to a more complex symbolic sublimation. She learns to approach her teacher and reciprocate affection—demonstrating her ability to express love verbally rather than through impulsive actions.

While Helen’s developmental delays stemmed from the loss of crucial sensory perception, similar disruptions can occur in children with functioning senses when they experience inadequate object relations. A child may know language and boundaries yet lack a meaningful connection between their psyche, symbols, and objects, leading to internal chaos and confusion.

In such cases, psychotherapy can play a vital role in restoring understanding and establishing boundaries within the mind of an adult, allowing for healthier relationships and emotional expressions.

The first video explores why the Church Fathers may not have emphasized symbolism in their teachings, providing insights into the deeper implications of symbolic language in religious contexts.

Chapter 2: Embracing Language and Boundaries

The second video discusses the concept of "walking the walk" in communication, emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with words for authentic expression and connection.