Narrative of Eve in the Garden of Eden Part 2

A Narrative of Eve: Part 11

Author: Ilze Neethling

The snake has seduced Eve into also seducing Adam to eating the apple. The problem/action therefore, has caused Eve relational problems with not only Adam, but also spiritual and medical. A postmodern approach to analysing (and solving) the issue of inheritances and consequences. See also: A narrative of Eve: constructing alternative realities in postmodernism.

While the snake has been identified as Eve's actual problem, we also have to look at the problem/s the snake symbolises.

 The snake has seduced Eve into also seducing Adam to eating the apple (however, I think Spain claims it to be an orange?). The problem/action therefore, has caused Eve relational problems with not only Adam, but also spiritual, medical, and more (not to mention the issue between farming with animals vs vegetable farming).

 Once again we can return as to who the snake was/resembles: Satan, Lillith, assistants from hell, and start to question the various motives (biblically speaking, to seduce Adam & Eve away from God and Eden). Quite an interesting selection…  

 And as usual (I know I myself am quite gullible and prone to researching everything I can)  this might now also evoke various Net-searches and alternative interpretations which might also make for good thesis or Phd's,

 But it still does not address how to assist the patient to deal with his/her problem/s.

 During the modern era (up to the end of the world as we know it – 2000) such a lot of time has been spent trying to analyse the where, what, why – which has cost patients millions in dollars – instead of actually trying to find the way forward (and by the time "solutions" work started, the medical funds have already run dry) – to assist patients to create more sufficient, alternative life stories for them to live in.

 Yes, various questions also arise such as where and what was or is Eden? Maybe not a place per se, except for being a "place" within individuals – a spiritual place, that of being at peace with themselves, being able to live with society in harmony, having sufficient coping mechanisms to cope with life, and more, and to be happy with what they have?

 Now, higher consequences come into play, such as being exiled from Eden (yourself, societal); having to bear and raise children with tears and pain (medical as well as psychological); Adam probably had a lot to say to Eve afterwards too (relational) - As I am sure a lot of women would want to discuss various issues with Eve once in the afterlife (according to my mother she won't ask or say anything – she would only give Eve a "look" and Eve would know exactly what this means….poor Eve!)

 As well as Adam blaming himself for accepting the apple in the first place (self-blame, self-esteem, doubting his masculinity, having to find ways to put Eve "back in her place"); and Guilt for being gullible (spiritual guilt, also distrust being born towards others, regularly displayed in marriages or other relationships).

 As such, a problem/s – one single action - has a way to sneak into people's lives and change their life scripts (forever, unless they realise they cān and actually māy rewrite their life stories – free will according to Scripture)

 and also upset health and wellbeing on different levels:

• Stress
• Psycho-somatisation
• Additional medical problems such as high blood pressure, IBS, heart related problems, cancers, addictions
• Self-doubt and low self-esteem
• Depression or other [mood] disorders
• Not to mention relational issues, again
• Spiritually speaking, at times fundamentalist  interpretation of Scriptures which so often leads to discrimination and abuse/s
• High mental health costs
• Almost regularly, not sufficient funding to actually address the problem

I have no answer yet (if an answer is possible). How does one rewrite such a story/life script? Might a postmodern/narrative/alternative approach be of more help than standard therapies? Can therapies be intergrated to provide more effectice help?

Instead, I think I would like to go back and review Eve's life story and see if she posted any updates…..

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/psychology-articles/a-narrative-of-eve-part-11-6580049.html

About the Author

Ilze Neethling is a registered Psychological counsellor as well as Psychometrist in private practice, Limpopo, South Africa. She is also the author of various self-help tools available at http://www.goodpsychology.net.