{"id":36961,"date":"2024-03-21T17:45:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T00:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=36961"},"modified":"2024-03-21T18:46:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T01:46:21","slug":"the-ultimate-map-of-meaning-in-times-of-suffering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/the-ultimate-map-of-meaning-in-times-of-suffering\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Map of Meaning in Times of Suffering"},"content":{"rendered":"

I want to know Christ \u2014 yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:10 NIV<\/em><\/p>\n

I approached Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief<\/em> by Jordan B. Peterson with anticipation and a weary brain. The academic writing style was dense and certain intersecting concepts difficult to grasp. This tome filled with small print and mysterious \u201cmaps\u201d and symbols, written by a controversial and unfamiliar author was rather daunting. I needed background information. I watched YouTube videos of the author speaking and giving interviews and discovered a documentary about Peterson’s wife Tammy and her journey with cancer.[1]<\/a> Her story struck a chord about the transformative beauty of suffering. Being the Lenten season this presented an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of suffering. Jesus\u2019 passion offers a story that anchors my life in multiple ways that hard facts and science can only complement.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the book is the premise that we need belief to navigate life, particularly when unexpected or unpredictable things occur.[2]<\/a> The author chronicles his own journey of discovery that \u201cthe world-that-is-belief\u201d is orderly, \u201cthere are universal moral absolutes,\u201d and how the meaning of the \u201cmost profound belief systems are comprehensible, fascinating, and necessary.\u201d[3]<\/a> Peterson asserts, \u201cThe great religious myths state that continued pursuit of meaning, adopted voluntarily and without self-deception, will lead the individual to discover his identity in God. This revealed identity will make him capable of withstanding the tragedy of life.\u201d[4]<\/a> Myths, stories, faith traditions, and rituals become maps that guide our journey, though we may not be consciously aware of them or believe in the power of their influence.<\/p>\n

The Role of Story and Myth<\/em><\/p>\n

Human beings seek meaning. We look for connections and tell ourselves stories that create meaning. Stories help us make sense of life and our place in the world. Stories help us discover our unique identity and either support or distract from our development. Peterson states, \u201cWe all tell ourselves stories about who we are, where we would like to be, and how we are going to get there.\u201d[5]<\/a> What happens when our stories no longer fit our circumstances and desired outcomes? Peterson explains how a build-up of negative inconveniences can lead to a catastrophe that unravels our stories. We either adapt and resolve the catastrophe which in turn rejuvenates us, or we are destroyed by it.[6]<\/a> When a major life-altering experience of suffering descends upon us the stories we tell ourselves may no longer fit offering little hope. This is where belief, the stories, and myths that have been passed down come to our aid guiding us through uncharted waters to find deeper meaning and purpose.<\/p>\n

Suffering cannot be avoided, only embraced. We need maps of meaning to navigate them. One map from the book was particularly helpful. Figure 15: Bounded Revolution, depicts how the unbearable present causes a descent into the chaos of the unknown, eventually resulting in ascension towards an ideal future.[7]<\/a> With deep suffering there may be no ideal future available to us, only an altered one. Yet, there is a gift within the suffering when we are willing to embrace the journey and the certainty of a triumphant ascension in Christ.<\/p>\n

Suffering as a Threshold Space<\/em><\/p>\n

I find connection to the descent into chaos within Meyer and Land\u2019s concept of threshold spaces. They write, \u201cA threshold concept can be considered as akin to a portal, opening up a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something. It represents a transformed way of understanding, or interpreting, or viewing something without which the learner cannot progress.\u201d[8]<\/a> Suffering viewed from this perspective seems purposeful even while simultaneously unfair, painful, and overwhelming. This threshold space of suffering presents a challenge to reflect upon the stories we tell ourselves. One of the most common \u201cstories\u201d I hear in my counseling office is, \u201dThis [suffering] isn\u2019t supposed to happen because I follow Jesus and did everything right.\u201d Schemas like this can shatter faith and hope. Faith supports us in times of suffering but cannot prevent it. I’ve been re-evaluating my schemas of suffering to become one of acceptance and invitation that deepens my faith, draws me near to Jesus, allows him to enter my suffering with me, and his will to be done in my life. Suffering opens up a new way of seeing and being in the world. It has not been an easy journey.<\/p>\n

Suffering as a Hero\u2019s Journey and a Sacred Calling<\/em><\/p>\n

Jordan Peterson utilized myth and story in the same way as Joseph Campbell highlighted how the ancient stories, myths, and religious belief tell the struggles of life and provide guidance to resolution. Campbell\u2019s Monomyth<\/em> of the hero\u2019s journey is a call to self-discovery which begins by traversing a threshold into the unknown, surviving various trials, receiving aid from the amulets and advice of a supernatural helper or guide.[9]<\/a> Phil Cousineau described pilgrimage in similar terms as, \u201cA transformative journey to a sacred center\u201d <\/em>and asserts \u201ca journey without a challenge has no meaning; one without purpose has no soul.\u201d[10]<\/a> Jesus\u2019 suffering and resurrection presents me with a story that grounds my suffering in him and his suffering within me. Suffering is a sacred, transformative journey and calling.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

I have by no means mastered the art of suffering, but I have accepted it as part of life. I’m ever so slowly welcoming it as a gift that moves me closer to my savior, his transformative power, and a deep fellowship that comes only through surrender. I\u2019m grateful for the ultimate story that offers meaning and purpose to my suffering as the uncovering of my true identity in Christ.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> \u201cTammy Peterson: Rosary Testimony,\u201d<\/em> accessed March 19, 2024,<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=e4uWemSfpwk<\/a><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Jordan B. Peterson, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, <\/em>(New York, NY: Routledge,1999), 43.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Jordan Peterson, Maps of Meaning<\/em>, xx.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ibid., 468.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Ibid., 20.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Ibid., 21.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Ibid., 86.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Meyer, Jan, F.H and Ray Land., eds.<\/em> Overcoming Student Barrier to Student Understanding:\u00a0 Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge.<\/em> (London, UK: Routledge, 2012), 3. https:\/\/georgefox.idm.oclc.org\/login?url=https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/books\/9780203966273<\/a><\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces<\/em>, (Novato, CA: New World Library, 1949), 81.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Phil Cousineau, The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker\u2019s Guide to Making Travel Sacred<\/em> (Coral Gables, FL: Conari Press, 2021), xxix.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I want to know Christ \u2014 yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:10 NIV I approached Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief by Jordan B. Peterson with anticipation and a weary brain. The academic writing style was dense and certain […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":184,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2310],"tags":[2489,1778],"class_list":["post-36961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctor-of-leadership-3","tag-dlgp02","tag-peterson","cohort-dlgp02"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/184"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36961"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36976,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36961\/revisions\/36976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}