Great List... Number 5 is my favorite but only because I'm squarely in that season of life, taking a deep dive inward.
If I may, let me add my favorite Jung quote... "I began calling God all those things which cross my willful path violently and recklessly, all things which upset my subjective views, plans, and intentions, and change the course of my life for better or for worse."
If you were to ask me why I like Jung, I would say because each time I read him, my evolving life breathes new meaning into his writing.
Not sure I would say I "love" number 6 the most, but definitely one I need to remember. I read something similar years ago that said, "I judge myself by my intentions, but the world judges me by my actions."
I see a huge case of ignoring "the elephant in the room" to glibly sum up your excellent piece. People know what their problems are. And most have solutions, they are just considered "hard".
What people miss is focusing on what they want. I am blown away at how many people cannot answer that.
Knowing what you want is the solution to overcoming "hard" problems. Literally, trading your problem for your living your best life.
Love the quote "Most people never fail which is why they never truly live."
Because I think of personal finance and investing all the time, in my world being afraid of investing your first $1,000 means you'll never multiply it.
I don't regret losing money in capital markets. Every loss is a lesson that's made me more money.
If you think about investment risk more broadly, for instance in the context of your earnings and real assets, taking the plunge is better informed and likely easier.
All of these are very topical for me right now, but quote 4 is particularly powerful, particularly in the experience you share in relation to it. It's really well-timed thought, and helpful in giving me a genuine lift as I deal with a current challenge. Thank you.
My favorite quote is “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
I've been through a few traumatic events and along the way have had a lot of professionals and doctors tell me that meds or EMDR or "insert treatment here" is what I needed.
Some of that was helpful at some points when I was younger. But now that I'm older I have learned from teachers like yourself that I am the one who chooses how I act and react to the painful things that happen to all of us.
I now know that I am the one who decides that I will use those experiences to make my life better rather than live as a victim hopped up on some big pharma product line or any other of the billion distractions.
Thanks for a huge assist with that and for sharing all the wisdom you've accumulated.
While Carl Jung's analytical psychology offers valuable insights, it's essential to approach it with a critical eye. Concepts like the collective unconscious and archetypes lack strong scientific backing, and their ambiguity makes them difficult to test. Additionally, Jung's use of mystical elements weakens his credibility for some. Furthermore, his focus on the individual unconscious can overlook the powerful impact of societal structures and cultural factors on mental health. Individuals struggling with trauma or societal pressures might find his approach to shadow work inadequate. By acknowledging these limitations, we can ensure a more balanced perspective on Jung's work and integrate other psychological approaches that address both the individual psyche and the social environment. Two excellent alternative approaches would be the works of Karen Horney and Abraham Maslow, among others.
You've laid out some thoughtful critiques of Carl Jung’s theories. It’s indeed crucial to recognize the limitations of Jung's concepts like the collective unconscious and archetypes due to their subjective nature and lack of empirical evidence. Also, the integration of mystical elements does indeed make his theories less palatable in a strictly scientific context.
Thanks Tim - I love #7 and it is the basis of a lot of the work I do. 15 yrs of study and application! Understanding structures of consciousness is really what makes the difference. So I would say guided enquiry and awareness of our egoic design are the most important things to make change. Meditation is a great start but we can be more directed. In my experience positive thinking, positive self-take and NLP only go so far and dont get to the deeper configurations.
That was a very, very good post. Enjoyed it! “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed.” Too true. Once you've been through hell and back, you believe you can do just about anything. But you've got to overcome, otherwise you don't have the confidence. It's why tribes have boy to man initiations around the age of 13. Where the boy has to do something hard to "prove" himself. This gives him confidence and allows him to show to the rest of the tribe he's ready. Our modern society has lost this and as a result many young men drift aimlessly.
Love Jung.
The real trick is to apply all that!! ... talk about failing!! Hahahaha
Thanks for writing!
What's your favorite quote from Jung, An?
Mine is, Understanding people is hard, that’s why most people judge.
The privipedge of a lifetime is to become who you really are.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
This one tells it like it is.
Great List... Number 5 is my favorite but only because I'm squarely in that season of life, taking a deep dive inward.
If I may, let me add my favorite Jung quote... "I began calling God all those things which cross my willful path violently and recklessly, all things which upset my subjective views, plans, and intentions, and change the course of my life for better or for worse."
If you were to ask me why I like Jung, I would say because each time I read him, my evolving life breathes new meaning into his writing.
Not sure I would say I "love" number 6 the most, but definitely one I need to remember. I read something similar years ago that said, "I judge myself by my intentions, but the world judges me by my actions."
I see a huge case of ignoring "the elephant in the room" to glibly sum up your excellent piece. People know what their problems are. And most have solutions, they are just considered "hard".
What people miss is focusing on what they want. I am blown away at how many people cannot answer that.
Knowing what you want is the solution to overcoming "hard" problems. Literally, trading your problem for your living your best life.
Agreed!
"If I'm not the problem, then there is no solution."
What people truly want is a peaceful existence, joy and happiness.
They just don't know it.
Too many people think that that more money, a new car .. a new face or house .. will make them happy ... running the rat race...
That is ego based. It shows as greed, arrogance ... always "one up" ...
"The ego is a terrible thing."
... never realizing that even if they win the rat race, all they will be is rats.
And no, they will never be happy.
It will never be enough...
The less ego we have, the happier we are.
It's a spiritual solution not a monetary one.
Love the quote "Most people never fail which is why they never truly live."
Because I think of personal finance and investing all the time, in my world being afraid of investing your first $1,000 means you'll never multiply it.
I don't regret losing money in capital markets. Every loss is a lesson that's made me more money.
Denis, have you lost much money in investing?
Not more than 5 figures, Tim.
If you think about investment risk more broadly, for instance in the context of your earnings and real assets, taking the plunge is better informed and likely easier.
I agree, Robert.
I am glad you feel it. I wrote about wealth diversification on Apr 23 on Substack in an introduction to that week's serial installment of my book.
Thank you for taking us to Jung (he and Joseph Campbell are my favorites!!)
Love this from #7 so much:
Most of society is asleep.
They’re technically awake… but their phones transport them out of the physical world and into an unconscious digital world.
Their thoughts are automated, therefore, their trajectory in life is fixed. Don’t be one of these common people.
Fascinating to think we have not only our unconscious selves but now also, as you’ve put it here…an unconscious digital self!
#3-You are not what happened to you….
The hard reality is that you can’t get to this without waking up.
All of these are very topical for me right now, but quote 4 is particularly powerful, particularly in the experience you share in relation to it. It's really well-timed thought, and helpful in giving me a genuine lift as I deal with a current challenge. Thank you.
My favorite quote is “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
I've been through a few traumatic events and along the way have had a lot of professionals and doctors tell me that meds or EMDR or "insert treatment here" is what I needed.
Some of that was helpful at some points when I was younger. But now that I'm older I have learned from teachers like yourself that I am the one who chooses how I act and react to the painful things that happen to all of us.
I now know that I am the one who decides that I will use those experiences to make my life better rather than live as a victim hopped up on some big pharma product line or any other of the billion distractions.
Thanks for a huge assist with that and for sharing all the wisdom you've accumulated.
Thanks for those eyes opening quotes. I will definitely read more about Carl Jung!
Read Jung’s analysis on the book of job. It’ll blow your nut sack off
While Carl Jung's analytical psychology offers valuable insights, it's essential to approach it with a critical eye. Concepts like the collective unconscious and archetypes lack strong scientific backing, and their ambiguity makes them difficult to test. Additionally, Jung's use of mystical elements weakens his credibility for some. Furthermore, his focus on the individual unconscious can overlook the powerful impact of societal structures and cultural factors on mental health. Individuals struggling with trauma or societal pressures might find his approach to shadow work inadequate. By acknowledging these limitations, we can ensure a more balanced perspective on Jung's work and integrate other psychological approaches that address both the individual psyche and the social environment. Two excellent alternative approaches would be the works of Karen Horney and Abraham Maslow, among others.
You've laid out some thoughtful critiques of Carl Jung’s theories. It’s indeed crucial to recognize the limitations of Jung's concepts like the collective unconscious and archetypes due to their subjective nature and lack of empirical evidence. Also, the integration of mystical elements does indeed make his theories less palatable in a strictly scientific context.
Thanks Tim - I love #7 and it is the basis of a lot of the work I do. 15 yrs of study and application! Understanding structures of consciousness is really what makes the difference. So I would say guided enquiry and awareness of our egoic design are the most important things to make change. Meditation is a great start but we can be more directed. In my experience positive thinking, positive self-take and NLP only go so far and dont get to the deeper configurations.
That was a very, very good post. Enjoyed it! “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed.” Too true. Once you've been through hell and back, you believe you can do just about anything. But you've got to overcome, otherwise you don't have the confidence. It's why tribes have boy to man initiations around the age of 13. Where the boy has to do something hard to "prove" himself. This gives him confidence and allows him to show to the rest of the tribe he's ready. Our modern society has lost this and as a result many young men drift aimlessly.
If you’re going through hell… keep going!!
So true!
From the title-I was nervous this post was going to turn me against Jung. Glad I kept reading. :)