Thank you so much for this wonderful analogy! Western psychology and Buddhism have so much in common. To me, it seems that meditation is simply a method for the study of the mind. It is always lovely to see the alignment with more modern research and theory. And, on a more personal note, I agree wholeheartedly. I had some initial anxiety, when starting to meditate more seriously, that I would let go of people I love. That has not been the case.
Thanks again!