Water—Conscious Triangle

The diagram below shows the Water’s Conscious Triangle that symbolizes Consciousness of this type of character.

The Consciousness of Water or “Conscious Triangle”” occupies the area of a triangle, which vertices are located in the following points:

• Water,
• Earth, and
• Air.

In the above three points, there are the following states:

• Conscious States (point—Water),
• Strong Self-Esteem State or Power State (point—Air or Earth),
• Soft Self-Esteem State or Vulnerable State (point—Air or Earth).

Conscious State of the Water type

The Water’s Conscious State is at the point where is Water.

(Let me remind that the Conscious State is our main state. Therefore, the names of individual types in the Mandala of Characters take their names from the places where Conscious State is located).

When the Water is in Conscious State, then this type in its Conscious Triangle can contact with its Power or Vulnerable State.

Usually, when we are in the Conscious State, we connect with either Strong or Soft Self-Esteem State. However, it is also possible (to a greater or lesser extent) to connect to the two states at the same time.

Besides, it is fascinating that Strong and Soft Self-Esteem States are not always in the same place. It means, for Water type:

• In Strong Self-Esteem State (Power State), Water can move to both Earth and Air.
• Similarly, in Soft Self-Esteem (Vulnerable State), Water can move to both Earth and Air.

How this can be explained?

Water, under the influence of Power or Vulnerable State can behave similarly to the types: Earth and Air. That is, Water type then takes over some of the characteristics of these types. Specifically speaking:

• Water, under the influence of Power State, can show either the characteristics of Earth or the characteristics that Air has.
• Analogically, Water, under the influence of Vulnerable State, can show either the characteristics of Earth or the characteristics that Air has.

There are various situations in life when such conscious control of Power and Vulnerable States takes place. These are, for example:

• situations when we have to control ourselves to deal with some tasks, jobs, challenges, problems, issues, matters, etc.;
• situations when we want to make a very good impression on someone;
• situations when we want to do something that we care about, something we have to do, we need to have control over ourselves, etc.;
• and so on.

Then we consciously try to control our Power and Vulnerable States in this way that we do not succumb too much to them. This helps us to carry out various tasks and solve the problems that arise.

Generally speaking, then we have more control over our Consciousness, that is, “Conscious Triangle”, that is distinguished in the diagram above.

However, in life, it is often the case that all the time, we are not able to keep our Conscious State in the forefront and control other states. So, from time to time, our Power and Vulnerable States will play a major role in our psyche.

Advantage of Water’s Strong Self-Esteem State (Power State).

As I mentioned above, Water can have its Strong Self-Esteem State in two places:

• at the point—Earth, and
• at the point—Air.

Water’s Strong Self-Esteem State (Power State) at the point—Earth.

In this situation, Water succumbs too much to Power State, which is located at the point—Earth.

The extensive influence of Strong Self-Esteem State often makes Water type overconfident. Then this type can, for example:

• over-focus on benefits;
• over-care about the position;
• unrealistically evaluate:
  — situations to face,
  — and tasks or problems;
• be sarcastic and disregard what does not make sense in her/his point of view;
• etc.

Water’s Strong Self-Esteem State (Power State) at the point—Air.

In Power State, Water can also show the characteristics of Air. Then he or she may, for example:

• disregard the opinion of others and be irritated, for example, when others, in our opinion, go too far into extremes and misinterpret reality;
• trust too much and rely on our own vision of the world;
• unrealistically assess reality;
• use too much ability to influence others to manipulate them;
• try to get others to share our beliefs and goals;
• etc.

Advantage of Water’s Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State).

As for the Water’s Soft Self-Esteem State, it is analogical to the above-mentioned Strong Self-Esteem State.

Water, therefore, can have its Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State) in two places:

• at the point—Earth, and
• at the point—Air.

Water’s Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State) at the point—Earth.

In this situation, the Water succumbs too much to Vulnerable State, which is located at the point—Earth.

The extensive influence of Vulnerable State often makes Water just too uncertain and vulnerable. Then, she or he may, for example:

• not seeing benefits and sense in our actions;
• have the impression that others are trying to take our position and meddling too much in our matters;
• feel overwhelmed by changes and instability;
• unrealistically evaluate various tasks, situations, and problems;
• etc.

Water’s Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State) at the point—Air.

In Vulnerable State, Water can also show the characteristics of Air. Then he or she may, for example:

• be too indifferent;
• not have the desire and enthusiasm to get involved in something;
• distrust our abilities and avoid doing some tasks;
• think that we are not interesting and exciting for others, to blend too much into the background;
• unrealistically evaluate reality;
• etc.

Other ways of movement between psychological states

In addition to the possibilities mentioned above of moving between psychological states in Conscious Triangle, other combinations of moving from one state to another are possible. They are as follows:

1. Water can move between the Conscious State and Power State. And rarely move to Vulnerable State.
2. Water can move between Conscious State and Vulnerable State. And rarely move to Power State.
3. Water can move between Power and Vulnerable States. And rarely move to Conscious State.

The above three possibilities of moving between our psychological states, and possibilities I mentioned earlier in this chapter may occur, so to speak, automatically or unknowingly. Even though we try to stay in one psychological state, we still succumb to other states, often against our conscious will and efforts.

How can we deal with it?

This topic is very extensive, and I hope to develop it in future studies. Now, for a start, I think we can say that to have a greater impact on our psychological states, it is simply worth:

• Get to know our psychological states more and more.
• Strive to accept them as much as possible.
• Consciously maintain an impact on our psychological states. That is, when we are in Power or Vulnerable State, we at the same time maintain contact with our Conscious State.
• Try to use more and more potential which all our psychological states have.

The balance between psychological states in the Water’s Conscious Triangle.

We need all psychological states. If only to keep our psyche in balance and, generally speaking, in good mental health.

The above statement that “we need all psychological states”, at first glance, may seem not entirely true. I am thinking here that we tend to believe that we need to strengthen our Strong Self-Esteem State (Power State), and it is better to avoid the Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State). Such a belief may be due, for example, to the fact that we have met with many tips, advice, and training, whose goal was to boost our Self-Esteem. Also, these tips and training were to help us to achieve various kinds of successes in life.

If we are too uncertain and vulnerable, boosting our self-esteem can help a lot. However, if we trust too much our Strong Self-Esteem, or if our Strong Self-Esteem turns into overconfidence, then, it can often lead us to failure. This can be, among others, by misjudging ourselves or other people and misjudging the surrounding reality.

On the other hand, with regard to Soft Self-Esteem State (Vulnerable State), as I mentioned above, we may have heard that it is worth or we even should avoid it. Because Soft Self-Esteem State can bring us various failures, and even misfortunes and disasters. However, life is often not that simple. Whether we like it or not, Vulnerable State is an integral part of our psyche. So, at least from time to time, this state will accompany us.

Besides, it is not so that Vulnerable State only causes misfortunes. In many situations, Vulnerable State leads us to successes, because, for example, thanks to this, we have appropriate respect to the people around us. And we have respect for problems that arise in our lives. In addition, thanks to Vulnerability (or Soft Self-Esteem) we can often earn the trust and liking among people, because we are valued for modesty, accessibility, realism, rationalism, common sense, precaution, etc.

Then it is worth developing both Power and Vulnerable State. This can be done by continuously increasing participation of our Conscious State in these two States. That is, by increasing the connection (or communication) between states that we can find in Conscious Triangle.

It will be beneficial for our psyche when Conscious State, as the main psychological state, will, in a sense, take care of our Power and Vulnerable States. For example, make sure that Power and Vulnerable States will be able to develop. And thanks to this, we will be able to use in our lives the potentials of these states.

Jacek BŁACH