The process of individuation according to Carl Jung

Carl Jung thought that each person is unique and singular and, therefore, has an exclusive destiny. Achieving it, allowing ourselves to be part of that distinctive horizon for each of us requires, according to this approach, giving shape to a process of individuation. It would essentially be about awakening our potential and individual consciousness, overcoming resistance and achieving freedom without the burden of fear.

This idea, which in itself is still evocative, can undoubtedly remind us of many of the programs, books and courses that are usually given to promote our personal development. However, those who know the work of Carl Jung will know that with his theory of human personality he implied something more. Thus, what he defined as principium individuationis covers not only the psychological aspect, but also refers to spiritual and philosophical development..

Becoming oneself, an emotionally and intellectually rich, indivisible and full entity requires, according to analytical psychology, a process that satisfies more needs than the basic ones. It is exploring ourselves, it is allow the unconscious to emerge into the conscious worldinvolves learning to manage our shadows and discover our authentic personal interests.

It is a journey of knowledge not without difficulties, it must be said. It is taking the brave step to integrate all those sometimes loose or unknown pieces of our personality. to form a strong psyche, a luminous self that allows us to be happy, free, authentic…

Individuation process, key to well-being and personal fulfillment

Murray Stein He is one of the best known Jungian psychotherapists today.. If there is something for which this lecturer and heir to Jung’s theories is known, it is for his continuous contributions to the concept of the individuation process. In fact, one of his most notable books is The principle of individuation: towards the development of human consciousness.

We are talking about a simple text, as well as practical, to understand something very basic. Individuation is key in our life process. Above all, it means putting aside many of those conditions and dysfunctional schemes that society often imposes on us and that ultimately limit our freedom and also our well-being. We all have latent potential, however, our education, social environment and even instilled fears can veto that awakening.

According to Carl Jung, each of us has a “genetic program” that will develop only if the right conditions are met.. Having an emotional family environment, with an education aimed at awakening our abilities and competencies, and being able to see ourselves as individual beings with our own unique needs and aspirations, will undoubtedly favor that goal: that of forming a strong, valuable and distinctive self. .

How to promote the individuation process

The individuation process has been studied for decades by each of the approaches of modern psychology. Thus, within cognitive theories it is established, for example, that self-awareness and exploration of the self must occur during adolescence. In fact, in a study carried out at Tel Aviv University, Israel and published in the Journal of Adolescence It explained how young people usually face this decisive stage in the construction of their identity and personality.

However, Within Jung’s analytical psychology, it is assumed that human beings can spend practically their entire life without having gone through this process of individuation.. This is when common problems such as lack of self-esteem, lack of determination, personal and relationship crises, work problems and common psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression usually emerge.

Defining who we are and what we want is to find internal harmony. It is feeling like a well-integrated whole, differentiated from the world but participating in it and its dynamics, changes and movements. We are facing a principle of health and well-being that well deserves our attention. Let us therefore see what we should do according to Jung to promote this process of individuation.

Development of consciousness

Carl Jung explained that there comes a time in every person’s life when we realize something. We are something more than our body, something more than everything that surrounds us, much more than what we own and even the people who make up our lives.. Our being is an entity that goes beyond our nationality and everything we have experienced. It is at that moment when our gaze stops looking outside to make that necessary internal journey to know ourselves, to become aware of who we really are and what we want.

This path towards the awakening of consciousness and individuation requires working on some aspects that we will see below.

The tension of opposites

On the one hand there is what others expect of you and on the other hand there is what you want to be or do. On the one hand there is everything you believe, see and feel and in another place there are your shadows, that unconscious area that you do not dare to navigate. Jung talked about how on this journey towards individuation we are forced to experience the tension of opposites.of that yin and that jang where the lights and shadows are, our feminine and masculine part, our fears and desires…

Far from suppressing some areas and illuminating others, the objective will be to accept them (either to change them or to integrate them).. To create a strong self you have to become aware of all those lights and shadows and accept them. Thus, despite our contradictions, balance is not only possible, but also desirable.

active imagination

One way to “awaken” our sleeping part is to stimulate our creativity. Jung once proposed active imagination as a means to make contact with that spontaneous, free and dynamic self that allows us to channel emotions, ideas, thoughts and sensations.

Thus, activities such as dancing, writing, drawing, painting, theater, music or playing also help us to let out parts of ourselves that we did not yet know. It is making art that bridge so that the shadows, the lights and the deepest desires also come out…

To conclude, the inviduation process is always a profitable investment. It’s not something to neglect or do at a specific moment and that’s it. In any circumstance we have the right to act as individual beings, strong in identity.firm in determination, solid in self-love and with faith in our dreams, ideals and values.

Let’s put it into practice. Carl Jung’s lessons and reflections never go out of style.

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