It would be a ridiculous and unwarranted presumption on our part if we imagined that we were more energetic or more intelligent than the men of the past — our material knowledge has increased, but not our intelligence.
c. G. Jungquotes
1875 - 1961
The Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist, Carl Jung, developed and furthered some of the most important thoughts and theories of the 20th century. His influence spread not only throughout the psychological world, but also throughout art, religion and literature. Known for developing analytical psychology, and his work expounding on the extravert and introvert personality types, Jung’s theories about the unconscious mind also carry lasting influence and intrigue.
Jung was expected to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a clergyman, but his interest in philosophy led him down a different route. Eventually, he found his way to medicine and earned his M.D from the University of Zurich.
A short partnership and friendship with Sigmund Freud helped the young Jung develop his theories, but eventually the two parted ways forever. Jung outspokenly disagreed with Freud’s view of a sexual basis for neurosis (The Psychology of the Unconscious).
As Jung continued to study his own unconscious mind, he developed the idea that all of humanity shares a collective unconscious, and this can be seen in patterns and symbols that have arisen throughout history (Psychology & Alchemy).
By unfolding one’s own myth through dreams and imagination, Jung believed that people could become whole or complete personalities (Modern Man in Search of a Soul). Ever fascinated with the growth of personality and one’s own inner development, he named the process of this self-discovery “individuation” (The Undiscovered Self). It is a lifelong task of trial and error, but to paraphrase Jung, eventually we all “become what we are.”
The dream gives a true picture of the subjective state, while the conscious mind denies that this state exists, or recognizes it only grudgingly.
What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits.
Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.
Remember that you can know yourself, and with that you know enough. But you cannot know others and everything else. Beware of knowing what lies beyond yourself, or else your presumed knowledge will suffocate the life of those who know themselves. A knower may know himself. That is his limit.
What you resist, persists.
Archetypal images decide the fate of man.
“Good advice” is often a doubtful remedy, but generally not dangerous because it has so little effect.
Dreams give information about the secrets of the inner life and reveal to the dreamer hidden factors of his personality. As long as these are undiscovered.
dreams / Life / personality / secrets
Slavery and rebellion are inseparable correlates. Hence, rivalry for power and exaggerated distrust pervade the entire organism from top to bottom.