Individuation

“Individuation is a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious are brought into consciousness (e.g., by means of dreams, active imagination, or free association) to be assimilated into the whole personality. It is a completely natural process necessary for the integration of the psyche... Individuation

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How to Make Peace with the Shadow

“The shadow is a living part of the personality and therefore wants to live with it in some form. It cannot be argued out of existence or rationalized into harmlessness.”

Carl Jung

the urge is cast into the shadow- only to show itself when the environment is safe from judgement

Shadow characteristics are mostly formed by shame.

Neurosis of the Shadow

“If we understand anything of the unconscious, we know that it cannot be swallowed. We also know that it is dangerous to suppress it, because the unconscious is life and this life turns against us if suppressed, as happens in neurosis.”

Carl Jung

Shadow work is the practice of facing one’s own unconscious through the practice of introspection

Insecurity

If one is unable to accept their Shadow, it can lead to low self-esteem. If an individual brands and labels certain parts of themselves as “dirty,” or “embarrassing,” it can lead to a generally negative self-perception. If left untreated, this negative self-perception is capable of enveloping one’s entire psyche. This could produce... See more

Carl Jung realized that mental-balance cannot exist without a direct confrontation with the Shadow. This confrontation requires an individual to explore and acknowledge every aspect of their Shadow, no matter how grotesque it may be.

The act of simply acknowledging shadow traits, and accepting them into reality, will bring more balance to the mental... See more

In Carl Jung’s concept of Individuation, one must fully confront and accept their shadow self. Jung compares this journey to the fable of a hero who must confront a dragon to get to the “treasure that is hardest to obtain.” The one who is able to recognize and explore all aspects of their shadow self, while still remaining civilized, is the one who... See more