In Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling came up with a powerful metaphor for how to deal with hopelessness and fear when your soul is engulfed by bad news. And it helps you to change your energy in 5 minutes.
In the Harry Potter universe, Dementors are entities that feed on human joy.
As someone who has battled with depression for many years, Joanne Rowling captured her experience of dealing with hopelessness in the “Expecto Patronum” charm – a powerful magic that repels negative energy.
There’s only one power Dementors cannot withstand – the power of a person’s inner light informed by their happy memories. This inner light doesn’t allow one’s soul to be engulfed by darkness.
Those in whom this inner light is strong repel Dementors – joylessness, hopelessness, sadness, despondency. And they can change their energy in 5 minutes!
But where does this inner light come from?
Remember the scene where Harry Potter is learning the art of Expecto Patronum from Professor Lupin?
Lupin asked him to look for a happy memory with the potential to transform his present moment into a celebration.
Harry tried hard several times but all in vain – even with a Boggart (a shape-shifter taking the form of a Dementor) he would still faint.
“By the way, what were you thinking of?” Lupin asked after Harry regained his senses.
“The first time I flew on my broom.”
“No, no. It’s not strong enough. Think of something else.”
And then, suddenly, Harry thought of his mother and father talking to him and felt his heart leaping with joy.
This time, the charm worked!
A powerful light flashed out of his wand as he thought of his mom and dad. The “Dementor” was pushed back into his chest.
Are Dementors real?
Just turn on the news, and you will know.
What do we do when our souls are engulfed by bad news – from outside and inside?
We need to master the Expecto Patronum charm!
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