Finding the Hidden Pictures is a favorite childhood puzzle in various books and magazines. In this puzzling Mystery we call life, adults too have to search for the hidden meaning in the universe of our experiences. In general psychotherapy, the therapist and patient search for the hidden cause for the symptom; in Spiritual Psychotherapy, the therapist and the student seek for the hidden divine potential in the so-called symptom and its so-called causes. Hidden in our story, infinity is everywhere. It takes a special kind of looking called vision to detect the meaning of our experiences. Without this meaning, life is a hopeless maze of confusion, contradiction, limitations, and suffering.

Human identity is the chief puzzle we must resolve in our lifetime.

"Where shall we hide the truth from man?"

The gods all cried when he was made.

"How can we guard our secret now?"

They asked each other most afraid.

"Hide it in the earth; he will mine it.

Hide it on a mountain; he will climb it.

Even in the sea he will find it.

Where shall we hide the truth from man?"

Quite beside themselves, they cried:

"This little guy will take our throne.

We have made him far too smart

Not to claim our heaven home

Hide it in matter, he'll analyze it.

Hide it in the water, he'll crystallize it.

Even in hell, he'll surmise it.

Where shall we hide the truth from man?"

They thought of stars in outer space

Or in the nature of a tree,

But they knew that man could solve

Each and every mystery.

"Hide it in the wind, he'll pursue it.

Hide it in an act, he will do it.

Even in an atom, he will view it.

Where shall we hide the truth from man?"

Then they solved the mystery

Of how the frightened gods should win.

The wisest said, "Let's take the truth

And hide it deep inside of him.

Hide it in his heart, he will doubt it

Hide it in his soul, he'll live without it

Even if we should reveal and shout it,

He won't believe the truth is within him."

Yogananda

We can decipher this puzzle through (1) the symbols hidden in our story, or (2) through the symptoms hidden in our story. That is our choice. But if we do not find the infinite in our symbols (1) we have no choice but to deal with our symptoms (2)

To unravel the mystery of who you are, it is necessary to find the hidden symbols and symptoms, and learn to re-interpret them.  Your story is not a haphazard accidental collage of meaningless events strung together like a bad novel.  It really is not like MacBeth moaned:  "Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" unless you remain stuck in your story.

Every incident, accident and symptom in your life has ultimate meaning once you begin to honestly investigate.  Even the worst disasters contain hidden messages for your Self-Realization.