The Real Meaning of Humpty Dumpty

BY JOYCE AND BARRY VISSELL

From Shared Heart Column, New Dimensions of Relationship January 2010, Reprinted With Permission

Editor's Comment: I was particularly struck by the meaning of the nursery rhyme as interpreted by the Vissells. Have never thought of it this way. — Arlene Harder, MA, MFT

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again.

Humpty Dumpty was an egg! A symbol of fertility, creation … but also fragility. The egg holds the potential for the complete life process. The entire DNA is there. The egg is also a symbol of the earth, which is not round but slightly egg-shaped.

Humpty was sitting on a wall, maybe just enjoying the view from up there. But there is always a deeper meaning to things. A wall separates two areas, but it can also separate two courses of action. And sitting on a wall can be like sitting on a “fence,” the symbol of indecision. So here is an egg, representing infinite possibility, not making a choice to live its destiny. Could this be like so many of us, too afraid to really commit to a path of action, to a relationship, or to find our true purpose here on earth – and then live it.

And why have I come to this conclusion about the wall? Because of the next line in the verse: “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.” Sitting on the wall of indecision, giving in to our fears, stops our growth as human and spiritual beings. It wasn’t just a “great fall.” It was a “GREAT FALL!” This is the fall from grace, the descent into darkness.

It’s not all bad though. We actually need to fall. It’s our destiny to descend into the depths of our humanity, to penetrate and experience the darkest places of our being. We cannot grow without experiencing all our feelings, including joy and pain, love and fear, peace and anger. Falling is built into our destiny the same way it is built into Humpty’s last name, “Dumpty.”

And yes, our shell must be broken into a thousand pieces. Our egos must be shattered if there is any hope of entering the light of spirituality. Our defenses must crumble and be rendered useless if we are to open to our true natures, our higher selves.

Unlike an ordinary egg, though, which needs its shell for its integrity and without it spills in every direction, the shell of ego keeps us in prison, locked up in a cell of our own limited thinking. Our hard shell must break to reveal the soft inner membrane that can still hold everything together, but in a flexible rather than rigid way. It is this container of our innate wisdom and guidance that shapes our true destiny, not the hard inflexible shell of our ego.

Ah, and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again. Not only men with human cleverness, but horses with brute power, all failed to reconstruct the now useless and outmoded shell. When we open to the light of spirit, worldliness loses its grip on us. Riches and power cease to become paramount.

And why did the king himself take such a personal interest in Humpty, a mere egg? Remember, Humpty is also a symbol of the earth and all that is ruled by the king. The king represents the head of humanity, not the heart; the intellectual rather than the spiritual leader. It is the king – not the priest, rabbi or shaman – who finds it so important to restore the shell of order. The true spiritual leaders are happy with the new Humpty. No longer on the wall of indecision – great! No longer ruled by ego – fabulous! No more calcified beliefs – hurray!

Find yourself on the wall of indecision? Too afraid to take the risks necessary to live your true purpose? You have probably already fallen and know the pain of your shattered pride. Perhaps you have even touched upon the light of grace underneath the darkness of your shadow self.

Don’t, whatever you do, try to put yourself together again. Don’t try to piece together the barrier to your inner truth and beauty. It will only put you back on the wall. Instead, celebrate the spiritual journey, revel in the kingdom of the heart, not the mind.

The king has failed to put Humpty together again. He’s failed to restore rigidity and order. Humpty Dumpty is now becoming a true spiritual leader!

Copyright © 2010, Joyce and Barry Vissell

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