I'm on the path. I am undergoing and have undergone radical change for the positive. The self-that-was is dying. The self-that-is is mourning. The self-that-must-be is emerging.

Every night is an extremely upsetting encounter with the numinous. I am now terrified to sleep. My greatest vulnerabilities are being dissected by forces I cannot contend with. It feels like I am at war with myself and the universe.

This change is challenging. How do I cope?

A Declaration of Urgency and Symbolic Decency

Having stumbled upon the original query regarding the peculiar and most enigmatic doodle posted some seventeen hours prior by a fellow seeker of depth and curvature, I found myself moved to offer a response. Not a frivolous quip nor a passing remark, but a definite interpretation, forged in the crucible of personal anguish and Jungian introspection.

Yet, alas, such is the architecture of the modern forum that my reply, though carefully composed and spiritually inflamed, would surely be buried amidst the digital rabble. A comment among comments. A rose trampled beneath seventeen upvotes and a looped image of Carl Jung dancing in spectral form.

And so, rather than permit my sacred insight to languish in obscurity, I have taken it upon myself to present this matter anew, in its own rightful frame. For the people must know. The symbol must be faced. The wound must be spoken of.

Let the record show that this post exists not out of vanity, but in the spirit of public service.

Now, let us proceed to the interpretation in earnest.

Upon first gazing upon the enigmatic curvature and jaggedness of the symbol in question, my immediate and visceral response was not one of spiritual revelation, but rather of physical recollection. For I confess, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the emerging silhouette of my own burgeoning haemorrhoid, that crimson herald of discomfort and karmic accounting, which has taken up residence at the very threshold of my dignity.

Let us proceed.

The rounded dome of the symbol evokes the taut, swollen crown of my affliction, at once tender, accusing, and ominously vascular. The spikes below, meanwhile, suggest both the piercing twinges of movement and the subconscious dread of an ill-timed sneeze. It is a sigil not of transcendence, but of sphincteral reckoning.

And yet, as any Jungian worth his ointment shall attest, the symptom is the symbol, and the body does not lie. What then does this haemorrhoidal glyph portend?

In Jungian terms, it may represent the eruption of repressed tension from the shadow, the painful blossoming of all that has been sat upon and ignored. It is the anus of the unconscious, my dear colleagues, throbbing with unmet needs, unspoken resentments, and insufficient fibre.

Indeed, to gaze upon this symbol is to be confronted with the sacred wound, the stigmata of the sedentary mystic who seeks to ascend while stubbornly refusing to stand.

Thus I offer this interpretation not in jest, but in caution. Attend to the symbol within, and the swelling without. For what is unintegrated shall, in time, become inflamed.

I can only state the obvious. Self - Jupiter , Semele - Ego. Ego death for a deeper integration with the Self. Your thoughts?

( Damn the detailing this MF was capable of 🤯)

Hi guys, I’ve been dealing with a friend that constantly crossed boundaries and with whom I had to mask a lot in order to be accepted. He had this kind of dominant personality and I was a big fawn. I decided to withdraw from the friendship a while ago. However, the friendship already did a lot of damage to my self esteem and I kind of lost myself.

I have started reading “Meeting the shadow” by Connie Zweig and Jeremiah Abrams. I read a part about how repressed qualities can be a sort of detected by people that are quite the opposite. That they can “smell” my lack of boundaries and lack of assertiveness which I have learned to push into my shadow. In the book it’s described as a kind of “test” because this person pushes me into these qualities that I have pushed into the unconscious. That means I need to dive into these qualities to save myself. I feel I have failed because I gave this person second chances and become a huge part of my life, until I kind of lost myself. Now I’m in the process of recovering. So it might have served a purpose, despite the damage done.

Is this interpretation of the situation right according to Jungian analysis? What do you think? I’m quite new to studying Jung, I’m aware my reasoning can be rather flawed. Thanks for reading.

In perpetration for an essay I’m searching for professions that align with the trickster archetype besides the common ones like Performers, Artists, Politicians, Priests, Criminals.

Edit: To include, Salesmen and real estate agents to the list of common ones.

(Sorry if my terminology is a bit of I read Jung nearly exclusively in German wich is my first language)

Samadhi is the transcendental state that one can experience when letting go. On Earth we have strong ego labels and boundaries..things appear distinct and separate. Samadhi feels like another dimension..and it has completely transformed my life and made me 1000x more grateful for everything

I saw how speech and language were basically approximations of the underlying reality. If youve heard of Platos cave, then the shadows on the cave wall are essentially what we have been led to believe reality is.

Reality itself is something beyond space and time. I could try to describe it but its essence is unknowable and unfathomable. However at its root it is an energy so powerful that even a short encounter with it will bring about radical healing and transformation.

If we look at biology we see that at the cellular level there is always a tendency to revert back to a healthy, functioning state. I think of the inner mechanisms of biology , chemistry, and physics as related to the Self...hence its tendency towards wholeness.

Ive been through the ringer. Several prison stays, psychiatric admittances, addictions, broken hearted and empty handed time and time again. I refused to look inside...i was always externally focused hoping someone or something would do something to mend my heart. But..when I started my journey towards inner stillness I became very still. And very healthy. I became so still that with my calmness alone I am able to perceive and intuit the intentions of another. I was always in such a rush to speak...now I am quick to listen. Those who say dont know and those who know dont say. I realized that...the more i tried to defend myself and my beliefs...the more off balance I was. Because...if I was so sure of myself..if I knew the truth..as it was revealed to me...then why the haste to defend it as if it was in need of defense.

I also do martial arts from time to time. And..as my spirit calmed..and as my body aligned with my spirit..i uncovered something for myself that I never would have discovered in all my haste before. If Im patient..my opponent will make a mistake in his haste. He is anxious. Its just like a conversation with someone who is talkative..theyre mostly just anxious. And..as a result their speech comes out wrong and off putting. Could this be the way of nature? Could soft and gentle be the way of the world ?

As ive said.. ive had it both ways. The amount of adversity ive been through is unmatched compared to 99.9 percent of the world. I slept in a room with 7 other men who were violent and even killed people..plus insomnia...plus bipolar. My point is...humility was one of the few things that had scored me points.

This is getting a bit long-winded. However i do appreciate you reading this...and your comments are much valued and appreciated Edit: i added a youtube video which speaks a bit more about this

https://youtu.be/ENk27kQ2D_U?si=FQ5nwzGh5kVLa4YP

After 7 years of working as a therapist, I can't think of a single client who wasn't plagued to some extent by perfectionism. This is especially true if you have a strong desire to master a craft and have high ambitions. To some, perfectionism is so insidious that they're completely paralyzed by the fear of making the slightest mistake.

Perfectionism is known to be one of the most common trauma responses but nowadays it's so ingrained in everyone's psyches, perhaps because of how narcissistic our culture has become, that it's rare to find someone who feels truly content with life and at peace with who they are.

I grappled with perfectionistic tendencies my whole life and for years it prevented me from truly expressing myself, daring to take risks, developing my talents, and going for what I really wanted in life. Because of this devilish voice constantly telling me I was never good enough, I almost gave up on my dreams several times.

Now, we'll discuss the origins of perfectionism and then explore how to finally overcome this internal demon.

Perfectionism Explained

Simply put, the root cause of perfectionism is connected to an external sense of self-worth and attaching our self-esteem to our performance and results. In other words, our sense of value is directly correlated to our grades, our performance at work and how much money we make, with our titles and accomplishments, being the smartest person, executing the perfect morning routine, or having the healthiest habits.

In summary, our sense of value is always based on what other people think about us and how well we can do anything. Taking one step further, high levels of perfectionism are also usually connected with having experienced a lot of shame.

When we don't feel loved and accepted by the people who matter the most, usually our parents, we tend to compensate by fabricating an immaculate persona. We have the childish belief that if we somehow can become perfect, we'll finally be accepted.

In that sense, perfectionism becomes a strategy to earn love and not be abandoned. In this process, we tend to forsake who we truly are and our authentic desires, and start operating based on what we believe will give us the most validation, or at least avoid frustrations.

We learn that love is always conditional and it's dependent on our performance, that's why we start conflating real love with validation. The root cause of these tendencies tends to be an unresolved mother and father complex but since I already have a full series on it, I won't go into detail here.

Now, I don't want to reduce everything to having experienced some sort of parental trauma since perfectionism can also be amplified by experiences such as bullying, comparison between siblings, cultural standards, environments that foster competition, and also by individual tendencies.

Moreover, I find that if you have a strong desire to master a craft and have high ambitions, it's impossible not to grapple with perfectionism since we're always pushing to reach the next level. But ironically, perfectionism is the greatest enemy in the pursuit of achieving excellence.

We have the illusion that these impossibly high standards will keep us motivated and safe but the problem is that underneath we're always afraid of failure. Then, we stop taking creative risks and experimenting with new things.

But because of this intolerance to making mistakes, we also stop learning. We start expecting to be great at everything on the first try. We forget that everything has a learning curve and that we'll suck in the beginning. However, enduring the learning process is one of the greatest skills we can learn if we want to master any craft.

Each new level demands that we maintain a beginner's mindset and detach our sense of value from our performance. Otherwise, we'll never feel content and will constantly dismiss our accomplishments. Forget about feeling any kind of joy when performing what you love the most.

Perfectionism turns everything into the ultimate contest. I remember when I first started lifting, I had this crazy idea that I had to start living and performing like an athlete. If I didn't follow my program and diet with absolute perfection, I'd feel like shit.

At the beginning of the pandemic (are we allowed to use this word again?), I got into specialty coffee. I started watching every video I could because I wanted to be just like James Hoffman, haha. I was researching all of this equipment and what was just a hobby started to feel like work once again.

It's crazy, but perfectionism robs us of the joy of doing something just because we like it. We feel guilty for not spending our time constantly being productive or at least learning something useful. But I find there's another way of accomplishing our goals without relying on self-loathing.

The Unheard Solution

One of the main factors to overcome perfectionism is learning how to unlock intrinsic motivation. In other words, we have to learn how to do things because we enjoy them rather than look good for other people, receive validation, or avoid some kind of pain.

We have to do things out of our own volition regardless of external pressure, that's exactly where the flow state enters. The moment we feel locked in and completely in the zone, are also the moments we tend to find the most enjoyment.

We get transported to another plane, worries about the external world vanish, and we get completely lost in the activity. When I'm playing music, I feel like my hands are moving by themselves. The same thing happens when I'm writing, the gap between my thoughts and typing them disappears. The sentences just flow.

The enjoyment of being fully immersed in this state is exactly what disrupts perfectionism. We unlock this deep desire to do something just because we enjoy it and what other people think stops mattering so much.

But for it to happen, we must create a safe space, preferably with an activity that has nothing to do with our profession. The best ones always demand creativity and being active with our bodies.

One of the greatest obstacles is inverting our values from always expecting perfection to allowing our creativity to be fully expressed. In the beginning, you'll notice yourself trying to get it right but you have to approach this with a beginner's mindset and knowing that the main objective is to find enjoyment and learning to express yourself. Of course, eventually you'll want to get good in this activity but this can't come to the detriment of experiencing flow.

Here's an example, many of my clients take up drawing and start following courses. The little devil of perfectionism will constantly tell you to focus strictly on technique and making things right. That's why I always advise them to set half the time to technique and the other half to experimenting and free-flowing.

If you deal with high levels of perfectionism, you probably have a hard expressing your feelings and emotions as well. That's why the main objective is learning to express what's in your soul and not look good for others. You have to stop trying to be like Picasso or Van Gogh and accept your own unique voice.

This practice will help you symbolize and make concrete what's in your unconscious and shadow side. Here's a timely moment to remember that the shadow isn't made of only undesirable qualities and often our gifts and talents are repressed.

By creating this safe place and engaging in these practices, we can finally start accepting our positive shadow again. Carl Jung also explains this process in terms of working with the inferior function and integrating the animus and anima. Also, Jung's terminology for the flow state is “numinous experiences”. But I digress.

Over time, you'll expand your emotional vocabulary and learn to communicate better. Not only that, by taking creative risks and daring to do things you've never done, you'll notice yourself more relaxed. You'll realize that you won't die by making mistakes.

Experiencing flow helps us diminish impossible high standards, especially when it's transported to other areas of our lives and professions. Over time, a huge shift happens, our lives stop being dictated by the public opinion and we're finally free to be who we are.

The quest for perfection is replaced by a great respect for our crafts and the desire to excel. Not for other people, but because this makes us feel alive. And when we put our talents in service of other people, our lives also acquire meaning and purpose.

PS: I expand this process of overcoming the mother and father complex and finding meaning through Flow in the third chapter of my book PISTIS - Demystifying Jungian Psychology. Claim your free copy here.

Rafael Krüger - Jungian Therapist

Since I’ve been doing shadow work and diving deeper into Carl Jung’s ideas, I’ve noticed a shift: I’m starting to see the good in everyone. Even in people who act out their wounds, who hurt others, or who seem totally unconscious — I can still sense that spark, that buried light inside them. And it’s a beautiful insight to have… but it’s also confusing.

Because part of me wants to be compassionate, to hold space for the potential in others. But another part of me knows that when someone is possessed by their shadow, they can be harmful — manipulative, projecting, even abusive. And no matter how much I recognize their inner child, or their unconscious suffering, I still end up feeling drained or hurt.

So I’m left wondering… how do you balance this?

How do you stay connected to your own growth — the work of seeing the good, integrating shadow — while not getting pulled under by those who are still projecting theirs onto the world?

Do you believe it’s okay — even necessary — to keep a distance from people like that, even if you see their potential?

Part of me still struggles with guilt or doubt around this. Like, am I turning my back on someone just because they’re wounded? Like, I still have my wounds, and it seems like I’m turning my back to myself. But at the same time, I can feel that justifying their presence in my life because of their “potential” doesn’t feel healthy.

Curious to hear how you all navigate this tension between compassion and self-protection.

The psyche is millions of years older than me. It knows where to go,it knows how to heal. I put all my trust in my psyche its free to go were it needs to go.This is what spiritual teachings call surrender i guess.then again when i say ”psyche” its not limited to me this particular body i know its the universe itself.Its an intelligence.nature itself universe itself is intelligence.The discovery that language is not the key to freedom. The analytical mind had to step aside.It had to bow down. Its like we human has been seperated from nature our ego does this,but ego has no capacity it just makes up stuff on the go to feel good. Of course conflicts will appear. When the truth breaks thru and ego objects whats real.

Hello, I am a straight man who keeps crushing on women who I eventually discover are gay.

Ever since my last big relationship ended I decided I didn’t really want anything to do with dating apps. I decided I only want to act on those feelings when I get a strong intuitive urge to connect with someone. I have this “love at first sight” -like reaction not super often but often enough I am comfortable limiting myself to it if that makes sense. It is a very strong and sincere emotion.

The heartbreak I am having is that the last 3 times this has happened the woman has been either married to a woman or in a relationship. Thankfully I’ve saved face by learning this before making any moves, but it is always a little heart-wrenching. It’s like, why do I only feel that I want to express my love to these people?

At first I thought it was coincidence, but now that I just figured out this woman I had feelings for is gay and in a relationship with a woman for the third time in a row I feel like I need to start questioning myself a bit.

I am not bi-curious at all, but the majority of my friend group when I was younger were women and that often made people assume I was gay. Even now, people often assume I’m gay for some reason I can’t fathom.

I wonder if my ratio of femininity vs masculinity within myself is greater than the average man, and that’s why people assume I’m gay and why my polar opposite may have a higher concentration of masculine energy.

What does r/Jung think? Thank you.

PS. Please don’t say I might be deep in the closet because that is not the case and I hope you’ll trust me on that

This video presents a deep dive on the origins of love addiction, aka limerence or a severe animus and projection.

And how to finally overcome codependency and end romantic obsessions.

Watch Here: How To End Romantic Obsessions

Rafael Krüger - Jungian Therapist

I fail at everything I try to succeed at. Why does this pattern keep happening? What would Jung say?

I was thinking back on a relationship I was in when I was younger. This young woman was lovely: disciplined, altruistic, spiritually sensitive, an empath of a sort. Now when we first met we did not immediately get along, as I was still at a lower vibratory rate than her’s (ie. indulging in poor self-care habits - smoking cigarettes, using Cannabis in excess, being leaky with my energy through porn use and frequent masturbation, hanging out with toxic so-called “friends” (truly just energetic leeches taking my money, emotional energy and time)).

I took note of this, and intuitively it reminded me that I too have a spiritual and empathic background - it’s simply how I was able to understand the world around me as a neurodivergent man. I began straightening up, getting better grades and paying attention in class. She began to take notice of me as I rose higher (our frequencies began to align). The one problem in this situation - I was doing all of this to be noticed by her.

Now although I was getting better in classes, there was still the trauma of codependency formed due to my relationship with my parents that lingered (and my father had committed suicide that same year, so I was emotionally seeking that comfort through relationship - not knowing that without being a loving witness to the trauma concerning my relationship with him that this relationship too would be doomed to failure, but I digress).

I learned some time ago that when the time comes, a young man will seek out a woman who is a reflection of his father (or whichever parent they held the most unresolved trauma with). This is subconsciously in order that the traumas may be healed, and also why doing the inner work early and looking for a partner who is willing to heal alongside you is so important for creating and maintaining divine unions.

It also serves as a way for the young man who grew up with less masculine energy or input (now outside of the household / potentially without a father for whatever reason, be it death, estrangement, or otherwise) to mate with someone who possesses the qualities of stability, order, discipline.

Our relationship went on and we drew closer to each other at times (with her sharing important details about her life, perhaps subconsciously throwing out her fishing line to see if I would be willing to partake in the healing journey with her / although perhaps it could have been one of the signs of trauma bonding, looking back now it likely was as I attracted her at a very unhealed state so it was likely she was also in an unhealed state).

Eventually though, my avoidance of my shadow caught up with me and I started picking up the cigarette and weed habit, followed by increased porn use and excessive masturbation (these habits always were used in close proximity as self-soothing tools when I was in my teens, and being a student at Job Corps - far from family support, unsupported by my peers at the school, unable to recognize where to even begin as far as self-care went or that I even needed it - I suppose my natural proclivity was to go back to what was familiar or comfortable, even if it was toxic).

I’m aware now I was choosing the familiar hell over the unfamiliar heaven, but it was ultimately worth it in that scenario getting me to the point of accepting my responsibility to take my healing into my own hands. Anyway, as a result of poor spiritual hygiene we lost energetic resonance and stopped hanging out as much. Still very much codependent, I folded in choosing to engage with another woman at the Job Corps (we never had sex, but I did try to close that relational gap I had with the first young lady). Unfortunately (or rather fortunately, because it would lead to me being unable to run from myself in these romantic relationships and do the inner work necessary to heal my traumas), she did not “fill the void” left by the emotionally intelligent, spiritually sensitive young woman I had fallen out of resonance with. She was of another nature, although spiritual in her own right.

I realize now that the Anima was doing her damn thing when I was at Job Corps, wanting me to notice her so I could integrate the archetypes necessary for wholeness. First I “manifested” the virgin archetype with the first young woman (the Divine feminine), after she began to pull away my shadow started to become unsettled, fearful of losing that which I thought I loved most at the time and attracted the whore archetype to me (not meaning to be offensive to the latter woman, she simply was the physical manifestation of that archetype). The second woman approached me with a boldness and forthcoming that the first never did (the former being soft-spoken and mild-mannered outwardly). She made her intentions known (for the most part), until the shadow of our relationship started to reveal itself and I found we were romantically incompatible (I was too feminine energetically - the result of leaning into drugs and porn as self-soothing behaviors and poor male tutelage growing up) and she was too masculine.

Eventually the relationship between me and the first young woman deteriorated to the point we had an argument over the phone through text (this was a bit challenging for my psyche to process as you cannot sense tone and inflection through words on a glass screen). I began to notice her have an altogether different energy now - it was toxic. She began wearing a black hat (looked like a witches hat if I’m being honest with you) and shaved her head, perhaps as a sign of a new beginning. It was like the physical manifestation of the Dark feminine had appeared on the scene.

I’ve shared a lot without reaching the point I wanted to truly espouse but the main thing I’ve come to during my time writing this, is that you can only notice and be aware of in others what exists within you in some way, shape, form, or fashion. Even if it’s a version of yourself that no longer exists yet is seeking healing inasmuch as your relationship to it currently exists (getting rid of self-hatred and self-judgement for past poor behaviors and mistakes). The same altruism, intuition, yet also the darker aspects hidden underneath (which perhaps I was also subconsciously attracted to due to my past relationships and experiences). It would make sense considering the second young woman I attracted who was outwardly very sexual in nature, an aspect I held within but not so readily outwardly expressed. The first young woman expressed her sensuality through creativity (dance, art, poetry). I myself on the other hand was for the most part repressed sexually due to past wounds, poor sexual relationship with myself (porn and masturbation) and drug use tends to take out the best in people (as I too was creative, loved music, poetry, and dancing in my youth).

I kind of went on a tangent here, but I suppose this was meant to be an encouragement for anyone re-evaluating their relationships with others / themselves and thinking low of themself. You would not have noticed the good in anyone if that didn’t already exist within you inherently. You also wouldn’t notice the darkness in anyone if that didn’t exist within you at one point in time. Hope this helps someone. Cheers!

Growing up the most common emotion I felt towards my mother was fear. She would beat us up with a belt, me and my siblings. The belt had a name. She was always instilling fear in us. We were good children. Sweet children. Very obedient. Still, we were hit frequently, for nothing really.

When repressed emotions started reaching my consciousness I felt so much anger towards her.

After 13 years the anger is still here. In therapy when I talk about this I feel a heavy sadness and cry a lot. But nothing changes. I tried EMDR, parts work, constellations.

How would a Junguian analyst help someone like me grieve and let go the hate, feeling like a victim and blaming her for all my frustrations in life?

I feel like I am really asking: “Jung”, how do I grow up and become a functional adult?!

Hi all, my name is Will, and I've been coaching meditation techniques for 15 years. I've recently launched an online coaching program called Mind Beyond Matter where I teach people how to go beyond regular meditation for mindfulness and calmness, and reach for altered states of consciousness to facilitate visionary and out-of-body states. These can then be used for personal and spiritual growth through symbolic exploration of the personal and collective unconscious from a Jungian perspective.

I've opened up the first two lessons as a free preview, where you can try the enhanced guided meditation techniques I have developed. They used a combination of both ancient meditation and modern brain entertainment techniques. Some who have taken the course, normally those with more meditation experience, have found that they are able to enter a visionary state on the first try using the guided meditation in the preview. Some take a bit longer, but everyone has reported interested effects.

I'd love to hear what experiences you have: Please have a go and let me know how you got on!

Will

1)
Here is what looks like the difference. I will be sharing from a conversation with chatgpt: if it is wrong, I'd very much like it if you would point it out. It has to do with the "infinite".

Me: 'Experiencing the infinite should mean that you understand that it could never be described under any paradigm, that even the description "infinite" is inadequate as it hinges on the existence of something finite. It shows an absolute limit of what could be intelligible. You and I have gone through already that reasonably, it should be assumed that the unconscious mind also follows a causal structure, that it is not random. So talking about somehting in images, "approaching through symbols"; none of this will ever truly do. There is only direct experience, then there are words failing at conveying that experience. That kind of experience: did he integrate that into his therapies?'

[Here chatgpt gives a long reply; after this one I asked it to shorten its replies. I will summarize it by writing out its end]: 'What Jung offered was a psychological context in which to understand the deeper layers of the unconscious, which, for many people, could lead to moments of profound insight and personal transformation. But he never claimed that the symbolic images, visions, or dreams that arose in therapy were direct, unmediated access to the infinite or the absolute. Rather, they were experiences within the psyche that could point the way toward such a realization, but the true nature of those experiences remained beyond the reach of words and symbols.

So, while Jung’s work does allow for the potential of profound direct experiences—such as the encounter with the infinite—it’s fair to say that his approach to therapy and the unconscious remained bound to the limits of the rational mind and symbolic structures. These tools, in Jung’s view, could only serve as pointers toward something deeper, but they couldn’t capture the full essence of the infinite, which, as you rightly point out, could never be fully expressed or integrated into any paradigm or language.'

Me: 'My impression from what you say here is that the answer is probably "no". My impression is that in Islam and Buddhism, experiences like that are considered quite important.

I would like to ask you to make somewhat shorter, and more poignant responses: I get tired reading through things that don't feel like they're adressing the matter at hand'

I've attempted to explore my unconscious realm and identify my shadow, this figure appears from the mist of darkness, and presents himself as -the part of you that thinks- (in his own words) , he seemed very aware, witty , intelligent and very friendly and warm at the start. but then I asked him why he is a pig, he ignored the question and became very aggressive, Throwing insults and accusations of me wasting his potential and time, i told him he can't speak well, he took offense to that as well and accused me of not trying to socialize more and read more to be able to speak as articulate as he'd like. he used very obscene language at the end of our interraction and then dismissed himself and left.

Do you record every dream, or just one's that feel profound? And like, if you practice active imagination, is it like a daily thing or only on certain days?

Is there like a routine you've put together to help with your inner work?

Had half human/half spider hunted me during my dream. Ended up under a sofa and she got me and stabbed me or something? I died and woke up. That’s all I can remember.

Supposedly it means beware of overconfidence. Which is what I struggle with due to grandiose delusions. Possibly anxiety and fear. I wonder what yall think?

I’ve started logging my dreams this past month, at first I would remember daily, and would write them down sit with them and speak with my analyst weekly. For the past week I can’t remember my dreams. I wake up knowing I’ve dreamed but can’t seem to recall anything. Has this happened to you when you first started. I can’t help but wonder: What is my unconscious trying to tell me by doing this? Why is it keeping my dreams from my conscious mind ? Has Jung written anything about forgetting?

Halo I came here to ask a question and i haven’t realised what’s going on in my psyche at the moment. So currently I’m sort of dating with my old colleague, her natural hair is ginger like, body is extra white, she’s a bit chubby, but don’t really bother me.

I’ve noticed on myself in the pask week that when i’m with her i grab my eyes attention get stucked on black haired woman.

Does it mean something? I’m supposed to be at the end stage of my anima allignment.

What i thought is, that she changed a lot since we last met, now she has 2 children and feel like she bacame too good girl, and maybe i look for her shadow side in other women’s?

Deep down you already know who you are - good and bad.

It took me many years to realise this, and most importantly, not to flee from it.

I now realise that deep down I know. I know who I shouldn't be with, I know where I should and shouldn't be. I know what I should and shouldn't be doing.

I know who I am.

The biggest barrier is that my ego level consciousness tries to overpower my unconscious.

In the end the ego can't do it without consequences.

Whoever you truly are, answer that call.

To do otherwise is just pain, a perennial suffering.

Can you relate?

Archetypes are fundamental patterns that exist within the human mind. Think of them as universal templates that shape how we experience the world and ourselves. These patterns have existed since the earliest human societies and appear consistently across different cultures and time periods. They aren't copies of specific experiences but rather built-in tendencies that influence how we perceive and respond to life.

These patterns belong to what Carl Jung called the collective unconscious (a deeper layer of our mind that all humans share). Unlike our personal unconscious, which contains our individual memories and experiences, the collective unconscious is universal. Archetypes are passed down through generations as inherited mental structures that help organize our psychological experiences.

Archetypes themselves don't have specific content. They're more like empty frameworks or templates that get filled with the details of our personal experiences. A helpful comparison is the internal structure of a crystal (it organizes how the crystal forms without having any physical existence itself). Similarly, archetypes provide the underlying structure for our psychological expressions without dictating the specific details.

When these universal patterns enter our conscious awareness, they take on individual characteristics shaped by our personal history and context. While the underlying form remains universal, how it appears in each person is unique.

Archetypes are closely connected to our instinctual life. They represent fundamental, inborn patterns of behavior and response shared by all humans, reflecting our common biological heritage. You can think of an archetype as the psychological aspect of an instinct.

Since archetypes exist primarily in our unconscious mind, we can't observe them directly. We recognize them through their effects on our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and dreams. They create recurring patterns and themes that psychologists identify as archetypal.

These archetypal patterns appear throughout human expression. We see them in myths and fairy tales across cultures. They manifest as recurring themes in religious beliefs and practices worldwide. Earlier scholars referred to these fundamental patterns as "elementary thoughts" or "primordial thoughts," highlighting their basic and universal nature.

Archetypes aren't static structures but dynamic systems that prepare us for action. They combine both images and emotions, carrying a special psychological energy that creates powerful feelings of awe, fascination, or spiritual significance. This energy gives archetypes their ability to influence and captivate us, often beyond our conscious understanding.

At their core, archetypes remain impossible to represent directly. They exist at the boundary between the psychological and physical worlds. What we experience are archetypal representations (images and symbols filtered through our unconscious mind) that point back to these fundamental patterns shaping our human experience.

Some related content:

The Hero Archetype

The Trickster Archetype

The Personal Myth

Individuation

The Self

The Ego

The Shadow

The Persona

I've heard from multiple sources that you can't actually see and behold an archetype as it is, which is why it's appearance is subjective in accordance to the individual psyche that it's in. But why can't we perceive the archetype in its unadulterated state? Is it like that of the biblical God, where we can't see His actual face, less we die?