Exploring metaphor through pumpkins: A journey into higher creative energy

On Monday, I brought small pumpkins into my class at the Sophia Center. But instead of simply handing them out, I had everyone close their eyes and hold out their hands to receive one. The goal was to bypass their minds’ pre-stored ideas about pumpkins and invite them into a wordless, sensory experience.

With their eyes closed, students noticed the pumpkin’s smooth, heavy roundness. This simple act evoked rich associations—images and memories of mothers, mother’s bellies, and mother earth surfaced within the group. Despite their small size, the pumpkins felt surprisingly heavy, which mirrored the weight of the writing and discussions that followed. For some, grief emerged.

There’s something inherently poignant about fall—the ripeness of late summer has passed, leaves are falling, and the cycle of life is turning. In my own garden, cucumbers that didn’t make it are rotting, and the lettuce and broccoli have gone to seed. The sensory experience of the pumpkins worked metaphorically on each of us, subtly influencing our thoughts, writing, and conversations.

The Power of Metaphorical Threads

Over the past year, I’ve noticed what feels like a “higher energy” at work in my groups. It’s an energy rooted in feeling, image, and metaphor. It reminds me of weaving a tapestry—each student contributes their unique thread, and as more voices join, metaphorical patterns begin to emerge.

These threads are richer and more complex than anything I could create on my own. They seem to exist in a shared, collective space that’s bigger than any individual in the group.

In their seminal book, Metaphors We Live By, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson explain that metaphors are fundamental to how we think and learn. They help us make sense of mystery and navigate experiences we can’t easily understand. When we explore new ideas, we rely on metaphorical language because it allows us to grasp what we don’t yet have words for.

Creating a Higher-Level Space

I’m beginning to sense that these metaphorical threads are where this “higher energy” resides. Through the rich, layered world of metaphor, we as a group create a shared space that transcends any one person’s perspective. It’s a dynamic, generative process that continues to reveal itself to me.

I’ll keep exploring this interplay between metaphor and group energy—and I’ll keep you posted on what I discover.