Discovering Your True Self: Exploring the Unconscious Mind
What is the process of discovering your authentic self? And how can you access the depths of your unconscious mind?
This summer, I delved into the captivating work of renowned psychologist Carl Jung, “The Red Book.” Nothing is more intriguing than exploring the human mind, and who better to examine than the mind of Jung himself?
“The Red Book” chronicles Jung’s self-examination journey. He meticulously documents his thoughts, dreams, and images as they emerge in his mind. This process leads him into the realm of the unconscious, where Jung discovers that our mental structure is composed of archetypal images and that without an identity, we are unable to truly exist.
During his exploration, Jung uncovers how we identify with myths. He observes that the human mind creates the character it aspires to be. For example, if you have a sibling, you assume the role of a brother or sister, as these roles are tied to our identity. As individuals, we choose which archetype to identify with. If you possess a creative nature, you may identify as an innovator who brings structure to the world. Attaching our identity to a specific archetype helps establish a set of values and principles that guide us in decision-making. We act in alignment with the person we wish to be perceived as.
Here are some examples of archetypes:
- The Hero
- The Sage
- The Lover
- The Explorer
- The Creator
- The Jester
Upon completing his work, Jung wrote,
“One without a myth is like one uprooted, having no true link either with the past, or with the ancestral life which continues within him, or yet with contemporary human society.”
C. Jung
Through his experiments, he discovered that the “I” represents only the subject of consciousness, whereas the “self” embodies the totality, encompassing both the conscious and unconscious psyche.
However, the question lingers: How can we access the self?
The self can be accessed through active imagination and the exploration of fantasies and symbols.
Jung’s technique for invoking spontaneous fantasies begins with focusing on a particular mood and becoming aware of all fantasies and associations that arise in connection with it. This involves allowing your mind to wander freely through various thoughts and emotions associated with the specific mood, creating a bridge to your inner world.
Personally, I employ the method of meditation, where I close my eyes and allow images to emerge in my mind. Lately, during meditation, I have been visualizing a misty forest. Intrigued, I researched the symbolism of a forest and discovered that it represents the enigmatic aspects of the unconscious.
So, the question remains: Are you willing to embark on a journey of self-discovery?
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