Viewers: What You Are Trying to Heal?
Go ahead, binge on Netflix.
I recently returned from an educational and spiritual trip to Athens, Greece. Participants on this trip explored how the Greek roots of psychology, philosophy, politics and religion/mythology could provide insights into our own lives and cultures. One of the many areas of exploration and learning that really struck me was the use of theater in Ancient Greece. As our group sat on the stone bleachers in the Theater of Dionysus beneath the Acropolis, a lightning bolt hit me. Holy Zeus!! This is the ROOT of the thousands of movies and television programs produced each year. I had never before thought about why or how we came to watch TV, movies, or go to the theater, except that it is a thing that we do culturally.
We went to this place of healing just outside of Athens called Epidavros (Epidaurus). It blew my mind. This ancient “spa” was set in nature with not only a hospital, dorms, and cafeteria, but a dreamatorium of sorts where guests would hope to dream of the healer god Aesclepius who would impart medical healing wisdom to be interpreted by doctors and priestesses. Epidavros also had an amazing theater. Theatrical performances allowed patients to watch other people play out the incredibly complex psychological issues and choices that would be difficult to face on one’s own – political issues, relationship choices regarding spouses, lovers, children, and so on. Having a catharsis (from Greek root referring to the purification and purging of emotions through art resulting in feelings of renewal and restoration) by watching actors play out dramas was part of the emotional healing of this Center.
Immediately I began to think about my most recently binged show, the Amazon Prime series Transparent. I think the show is the most amazing series out there, but I cannot seem to find anyone else who loves it let alone has seen it. Aside from it being about a transgendered main character, the series focuses on a group of characters in a dysfunctional culturally Jewish family in Los Angeles. Hmm. I am from a dysfunctional culturally Jewish family from Los Angeles. The way the characters related with their neurotic mother (love you, Mom), their own quest for individuation and identity trying everything from drugs to sex to travel to religion. I sobbed at the end of every episode because I could so deeply relate. No one else had to love Transparent. This show brought about MY catharsis, my healing. Upon looking at the series closer, I was able to identify some of my own historic patterns and pieces of myself which had remained in the shadows until they were triggered into the light by that show.
I think, too, about the newer concept of the “Netflix binge”, which apparently is not so new! It was a duty of being a citizen in Athens to attend the Dionysus Festival that lasted for what I could tell was ten days of performances. The politicians and leaders knew that the citizens needed to be watching performances that mirrored their lives, that citizens could be watching the struggles and dramas and traumas of life projected on stage in order to make sense or resolve some of their own.
I get to the point of this article: if you are going to binge on Netflix or your choice of movie/television watching modality, make the most of your time and know what you are trying to heal. Make a catharsis out of it rather than what often feels like an escape from life. Let yourself dive into your life rather than escape from it. Rather than feeling tired and numbed, feel energized by the show rather than drained, or even select something that adds to your life. My friend gets overwhelmed by the political situation and many of the crises in our world and tends to binge on YouTube Science Videos…he emerges feeling hopeful, equating gaining knowledge about new scientific breakthroughs and discoveries with a hope for humanity.
Do you find yourself only watching romantic comedies? Are crime/thriller/sci-fi features more your thing? What is it that you are seeking to heal, what yearning is not being met, what conflict seems impossible for you to resolve in your own life? Why THAT particular show? Why does one person like game shows and the other likes Friends? I have found these questions useful to explore – and when you want to run to your friends, family and co-workers screaming praise about this AMAZING show you just watched, try sharing instead what the meaning is for you. You will find a lot more connection with the real people in your life.
If you are in coaching, therapy, or do your own personal work through journaling or bodywork, etc..., focus on what the show evokes for you, describe the characters you most relate to or are moved by and what they are facing and how that mirrors your current life challenges. Binging on a show can fill hours of your life, it's in your unconscious mind as the archetypes of universal consciousness. Use it for your development!