Jung's Individuation process
Individuation is the process of integrating the conscious with the unconscious, for the purpose of self-actualization.
Individuation is the goal of our psychological development
Individuation is a philosophical, spiritual and mystical experience (Jung, 1989b, p. 294). It is the goal of our psychological development and in metaphysical terms amounts to God's incarnation (Jung, 1989b, p. 157). Individuation is the central concept and purpose of Jung’s Analytical Psychology (Jung, 1989a, p. 209).
The three parts of the psyche
According to Carl Gustav Jung, the psyche is divided into three major parts:
- The ego. This is the conscious mind.
- The personal unconscious. This includes forgotten or suppressed memories from our own personal lives.
- The collective unconscious. This is shared by all people. It is the collective memory of human thought and experience, from ancient to modern times. This includes the basic human instincts and the archetypes.
Integration of the psyche
Individuation is the transformational process of integrating the conscious with the personal and collective unconscious (Jung, 1962, p. 301).
Integrating the conscious with the personal unconscious involves the following:
- Finding the suppressed memories and curing the psychological traumas. This is the process commonly known as psychoanalysis.
- Realizing the thoughts that create the feelings.
- Acquiring general knowledge.
- Developing will-power.
Integrating the conscious with the collective unconscious, is realizing and harmonizing the archetypes.
Effect of Individuation on people
The Individuation process brings up the true personality of a person, it makes him an Individual. Individuation generally has a profound healing effect on the person. (Jung, 1962, p. 433).
People become harmonious, calm, mature and responsible. They feel and act like parents to the rest of humanity. They protect and promote the ideals of life, freedom and justice. They have amassed knowledge and have a deep understanding about human nature and the universe. Therefore it is relatively easy for them to psychologically analyze and even cure other people.
- Jung, C. G. (1962). Symbols of Transformation: An analysis of the prelude to a case of schizophrenia (Vol. 2, R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). New York: Harper & Brothers.
- Jung, C. G. (1989a). Memories, Dreams, Reflections (Rev. ed., C. Winston & R. Winston, Trans.) (A. Jaffe, Ed.). New York: Random House, Inc.
- Jung, C. G. (1989b). Psychology and Religion: West and East (2nd ed., R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
A. S. Petridis, Ph.D.
5 December 2008
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