The man, who, being really on the Way, falls upon hard times in the world will not, as a consequence, turn to that friend who offers him refuge and comfort and encourages his old self to survive. Rather, he will seek out someone who will faithfully and inexorably help him to risk himself, so that he may endure the suffering and pass courageously through it. Only to the extent that man exposes himself over and over again to annihilation, can that which is indestructible arise within him. In this lies the dignity of daring.
Karlfried Graf von Durkheim, from The Way of Transformation
This quote reminds me of how therapy works. The language may be a little extreme at times (i.e., annihilation), but the point hits deeply for me.
We need people in our lives who will NOT encourage our old selves to survive. We need people in our lives that will "faithfully and inexorably help" us to risk ourselves, so that we "may endure the suffering and pass courageously through it."
Therapists can help with this process. It's my job to "faithfully and inexorably help." I'm here to help you "endure the suffering and pass courageously through it." You don't have to go through your difficulties and challenges alone.
By exposing yourself "over and over again to annihilation," you eventually become "indestructible." I'm here to help you go through "annihilation" and become "indestructible." By pushing the limits of your efforts, actions, traumas, boundaries...you encounter annihilation.
Here's the thing though, not everything is annihilated. Whatever remains has been strengthened and refined like gold passing through fire, or carbon being crushed into a diamond.
You are and are ever becoming invaluable and indestructible.
I help with annihilation.