Following the advice of one of my online mentors, who encouraged delving into impactful literature referred to as "earthquake books" – those that have the capacity to shake our perspectives and unlock new insights – I discovered a deep resonance with Carl Jung's profound works.
extensively covered Carl Jung in his newsletter, covering diverse facets of the psychologist's work. In the recommended book, "Catafalque" by Peter Kingsley, Jung is referred to as a prophet, challenging conventional notions of prophecy as merely foreseeing the future. Instead, this perspective suggests that a prophet's role involves awakening individuals when they deviate from their path. Jung's ideas, as explored by Morgan, retain significant revelatory value, particularly in addressing the delicate balance between reason and meaning.Incomplete reasoning becomes a barrier to our connection with higher wisdom, hindering our grasp of life's essence. The emergence of new prophets isn't confined to individuals; rather, it looks like a group of visionaries coming together. With diverse backgrounds and a wealth of experiences, these prophets share a common goal – the pursuit of wisdom and meaning, applying these insights to address the challenges of today’s world.
Their strength lies in embracing diversity, fostering an open-minded approach, and tapping into the specialized knowledge within their respective domains. By learning together and cooperating, they create a comprehensive and holistic wisdom.
As I explore Jung's works, certain sections of his books have left a lasting mark on how I perceive things, resonating deeply with my journey.
In Jung's biography, there are accounts of possible psi phenomena and a claimed ability to foresee the future. For instance, it was suggested that during arguments with Sigmund Freud, Jung had the power to make Freud's bookcase explode. Additionally, Jung reportedly predicted events such as the onset of World War I and the deaths of people around him.
In my own experiences, I've noticed a curious correlation - whenever I dream of losing all my teeth, someone in my vicinity tends to pass away. Furthermore, in October of last year, I discovered a newfound Pikachu's skill, allowing me to interfere with electricity and power connections. In the span of a week, I touched an elevator, causing it to malfunction, and simultaneously experienced malfunctions with my dishwasher, juice shaker, and Wi-Fi.
Jung's concept of "synchronicity" suggests that there are no coincidences; everything is a meaningful signal for you. You should use your body as a medium to be attentive to signals from both inner and outer worlds.
In my case, last year, a friend visited me in Lisbon after coming from Basel, Switzerland, sharing stories about Rudolf Steiner and experiences at the Goetheanum. Shortly after, I had coffee with a young lady I met early last year in Singapore, now living nearby in Lisbon. Surprisingly, she knew my friend, and they both had been to Basel at the same time! A couple of days later at the gym, I met a guy from Basel who recommended visiting the Goetheanum. We later found out on Instagram that he and the girl from Singapore were classmates!
While in Bologna travelling with my friend Monica, I played a song randomly in the room, and within 5 seconds, Monica recognized it – it happened to be the guitar piece her Italian boyfriend had played for her just two days earlier. At dinner, Monica inquired about a specific book, and coincidentally, I had ordered it a few hours before.
Last year, my psychic friend advised me to be mindful of redhead Irish people. Prior to that, I had no Irish friends, let alone red-haired ones. Surprisingly, following her guidance, four red-haired Irish individuals entered my life. Many coincidences happened, and the list could keep growing.
Jung's fascination with Nietzsche persisted from his early exposure to Nietzsche's ideas as a Basel student to his influential role in the psychoanalytic movement. Throughout this journey, Jung not only extensively read Nietzsche but also engaged in a continuous dialogue, gradually shaping and evolving his own thoughts in response to Nietzsche's work. In his biography "Memories, Dreams, Reflections," Jung highlights his deep connection to Nietzsche, going so far as to link Nietzsche to the fundamental task he perceived as central to his life's work.
I recommend waiting until the age of 25, once the prefrontal cortex has matured, before delving into Nietzsche’s works. Reflecting on my intriguing connection with Nietzsche during my visit to Leipzig, I've noted a pattern where individuals associated with him so deeply tend to either succumb to madness or meet a tragic end. Therefore, it is advisable to approach his works with caution. As Nietzsche mentioned,
“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Since my trip to Germany last year, I've noticed that my approach to handling visions and dreams oddly mirrors Jung's methods. Starting from an initial sense of fear and resistance, I now confront them with courage. What message do these seemingly random visions and dreams aim to convey? Perhaps, later in my life, I can peacefully coexist with them or even gain a complete understanding, inspiring me to write my own version of the Red Book.
Carl Jung mentioned that all of his works are tasks imposed by his inner self, stemming from a compelling sense of destiny. The inner landscapes he explores in his writing emerge from questions posed by his own psyche. This spiritual force moves him, and he allows it to express itself freely. He never anticipated that his works would generate strong reactions or passionate resonance. They serve as a compensation for this era, compelling him to articulate truths that no one is willing to hear. Consequently, especially in the initial stages, he often experienced loneliness. He understood that his words might be disagreeable, suggesting a need for a counterbalance in the conscious world that contemporary individuals find challenging to accept.
I completely agree. Writing has never been a tough or challenging task for me; it simply flows naturally as I express my emotions. Just like the article you're reading, it unfolds smoothly and effortlessly. I don't expect every reader to fully understand my thoughts, but I feel compelled to write because it helps me release and cope with my inner struggles.
In his later years, Jung explored Buddhist sutras and the renowned ancient Chinese classic, the "《易经》I Ching," acknowledging the divine power of the mandala. This brought back memories of my school days when I went by the name Mandala. At that time, I mistakenly thought it meant higanbana flowers due to misinformation on an old online forum. Later, under the guidance of my English teacher, I discovered it's a term used in Buddhism and not commonly used as a personal name. Hence, I changed my name to Camellia. Interestingly, during my first Ayahuasca experience in Portugal, I actually saw the higanbana flower at the retreat center for the first time. In that moment, it feels like many things are mysteriously coming together in a harmonious way.
Jung frequently mentions in his biography the symbol of the mandala, representing the wholeness of the individual psyche and the process of self-realization. This intricate and symbolically rich pattern typically appears as a combination of geometric shapes and symbols, reflecting the latent psychological structures and order within an individual. Each mandala drawn by a person is unique, showcasing individual experiences, values, and states of mind. Drawing and analyzing mandalas have become a tool for self-awareness and personal growth.
According to the "I Ching," the way of the Tao involves the interplay of Yin and Yang, capturing the ever-changing phenomena across heaven and earth: transformations fluctuate between the assertive Yang and receptive Yin. Jung skillfully illustrates the dual nature of personality through archetypes like Anima, Animus, Shadow, and Persona. The Anima archetype symbolizes the internal feminine aspect within males, while the Animus embodies the internal masculine aspect within females. These align with the archetypes of the Persona (adapting behavior based on societal expectations and peer pressures) and the Shadow (unconscious passions and desires).
Expanding on this, Jung develops a personality typology harmonized with Yin-Yang, emphasizing the need for individuals to delve into the unconscious. Integration of the unconscious into one's entire consciousness is crucial for entering a more authentic and complete state of being. Jung terms this process "Individuation."
In Jung's biography, he recounts a case where a patient declared, "I am identical with evil. I am evil itself." Jung observed the patient's dangerous behavior and instructed not to leave her alone. One day, the patient asked a nurse to bring a hot water bottle, and the moment the nurse stepped out, she jumped out of the window, leading to her suicide.
Upon seeing her lifeless body, Jung remarked that he would never forget the triumphant expression on her face. After successfully leaping out of the window, this malevolent expression was etched onto her countenance. Life held no significance for her; she was willing to sacrifice her own life as a manifestation of evil.
This story reminds me of how many people tie their sense of "self" to external identity labels imposed upon them. In order to meet the stereotypical expectations associated with these labels, they engage in behaviors that go against their true nature, sacrificing themselves to fleeting societal norms.
For instance, someone could pursue a high-paying career, only to discover that it doesn't match their interests and values. Despite feeling dissatisfied inside, they might put off finding the real inner satisfaction for a long time because they're strongly attached to external labels. On the flip side, people might create a perfect image on social media, but this façade could make them feel lonely and lost. Gradually distancing themselves from their true selves, they start having a harder time building real connections with others.
Without enough life experience, a gift presented to you as a profound truth can't be fully embraced. Many concepts and truths require a deep understanding that comes only with a certain level of awareness. This doesn't mean older individuals are inherently more advantaged than the young; time and growth are connected but not causally.
During my younger years, I brushed off my grandparents' teachings as dull and didn't give them the attention they deserved. It wasn't until moments several years after their passing that I deeply regretted not taking their lessons more seriously. However, the insights prompted by this realization can no longer be shared with them. Transmitting wisdom to future generations proves to be a challenging task. Therefore, it is crucial to record and preserve something for future generations, creating an avenue for communication with both the future and those who have passed away.
A decade ago, I thought of Jung as a charlatan; now, I'm eager to transcribe every word he wrote. Grateful for the abundant gift of fate, Jung is once again brought into my life.
"There is a mystical fool in me that proved to be stronger than all my science."
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
On Carl Jung
Hello Camellia Yang, I wanted to comment on flowism, but that one is locked. You have been around on Substack for 4 years, so I am sure that your decisions are well thought-out. So I'll comment on Jung.
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This perspective suggests that a prophet's role involves awakening individuals when they deviate from their path. Let me be clear; would I be deviating from MY path, or deviating from dear Mr. Philosopher Jung's path. Kind of like China, deviating from the US "Rules-Based-Order" imposed on the world?
Then; "Incomplete reasoning becomes a barrier to our connection with higher wisdom", well, sure. - "There's a delicate balance between reason and meaning, hindering our grasp of life's essence".
All "Meaning" is an abstract, laid on top of our subjective interpretation of perception. (Especially true about our "grasp of life's essence".) Use it if it works in your life. Don't use it if it makes you jump out of the window, like in number 9. Maybe this meaning is even good for today? But the proof of yesterday's meaning is in the current war and killing in the world. Meaning has always proved to be short-lived.
Let's DO the numbers:
1. Jung made Freud's bookcase explode. WHOOPIE . He predicted someone will die, (and there would be a WAR). Plus; "I can interfere with electricity". (How about making some electricity, but don't lock it behind the paywall please).
2. There are no coincidences; everything is a meaningful signal for you. I could tell you some unbelievable, billion-to-one happenings, but I make no meaning out of them. I am satisfied enough with the things I do in my life today.
I do think we can all get-something out of every encounter. In fact, I am getting a huge payoff from writing this. I hope you are getting something from reading it. Why bother categorizing from both "inner and outer" worlds. That part is for believers.
3. Nietzsche? What can I say? The truth is in his results. He died crazy, and he is a negative force in the world. Those that "love" him are hoping for some extra power in the anti-world. The way to get there is to destroy what's here in front of your face. Isn't Nihilism the Nietzsche word? It is so easy to take out the trash.
4. Let's Try to make meaning out of dreams. What message do these seemingly random visions and dreams aim to convey? - This one is about people who's limited realm of possibility has blocked off all (or most) movement in their real life. Why isn't life on earth replete with vast possibilities? But no, I have spare time to record abstruse thoughts and try to do the "connection-trick". But where do these images come from??? I don't know. Can't some things remain a mystery?
5. "Tasks imposed by his inner self, stemming from a compelling sense of destiny. The inner landscapes he explores in his writing emerge from questions posed by his own psyche". - Now "destiny" has jumped in! (And Psyche too.) Who's watching the door anyway? - "I have strong emotional reactions and passionate resonance to my created meaning, out of my abstractions, which I hope to paste on all others".
Maybe there is not enough crowd-sourced emotion going around. Follow me, you creeps, I am articulating truths that no one is willing to hear. It's called chauvinism isn't it, a western specialty.
6. OK, you're searching for a short-cut, with your first Ayahuasca experience in Portugal, because you are an "efficient" westerner in mentality. No sense wasting time, let's get right to it. I usually don't tell personal stories, but this is true. Just last month, Dec 15th my "near-do-well" nephew, (and he had a lot of light and love in his heart, but he couldn't make it really work in his life), he was waiting in the car for his girlfriend to get off of work. He is a little older than you.
First I'll say, getting high is a mini-death. AND, getting more high is a medium or a maxi-death. And a well practiced drug taker is used to these catastrophic experiences. Well, there he sat in the car, and he popped the blue pill that he had just bought on the street. He had the BEST HIGH EVER of his life.
But guess what? HE DIDN'T WAKE UP THIS TIME. His girlfriend came out and her driver was a STIFF! I don't say it was equal to Ayahuasca, but why not? His mother was shell-shocked, being in partial denial all of his life. Me? I don't live there, and I only relate to people who can write. He couldn't.
7. Mandala - that's nice.
8. According to the "I Ching," the way of the Tao involves the interplay of Yin and Yang, capturing the ever-changing phenomena across heaven and earth: - In my understanding Yin/Yang are not separate. They are the inner "tension" that allows movement, and movement is what creates space/time. To recognize space there has to be matter, and it always moves, (or vibrates) and that movement is in space, and is seen through something called time. And the WHY of it? Really, the world is full of stupid questions.
Jung skillfully illustrates the dual nature of personality through archetypes like Anima, Animus, Shadow, and Persona. I think it is a far stretch from the Chinese traditions. (Which I would like to hear more about.)
✓The Anima archetype symbolizes the internal feminine aspect within males,
✓while the Animus embodies the internal masculine aspect within females.
✓These align with the archetypes of the Persona (and struggle I guess in LGBT)
In other words sex, as seen through acculturation, is the meaning of life?
"Adapting behavior based on societal expectations and peer pressures", (which includes your sex from day-1) and the ✓Shadow (unconscious passions and desires, nothing authentic there either).
Really, please do tell, what did you learn from all this that you have integrated into your life. How are you different now, besides spending time making meaning out of dreams? (and maybe psychedelics?)
"Integration of the unconscious into one's entire-consciousness is crucial for entering a more authentic and complete state of being". - Sure! but not "entire", it is a step-by-step process. Be aware of it, but don't be the controller, or try to hurry. You have the timeless to move through it.
9. Upon seeing her lifeless body, Jung remarked that he would never forget the triumphant expression on her face. She was willing to sacrifice her own life as a manifestation of evil. What anecdotal RUBBISH!
He says something about "external identity labels imposed upon them". Yeah, we are all victims, thanks for reminding us Carl. - She was full of unbearable sadness, always from her own reinforcing words, which Jung couldn't convince her to stop reciting, the failure of his methods. Where did it come from? In truth, from her own memory, because there is no existential "Past".
You say, (not Jung), that people can create a perfect image on social media, but this facade could make them feel even more lonely and lost. Gradually distancing themselves from their true selves, they start having a harder time building real connections with others. - This is the nature of social media on the Internet. Use it sure, but be aware there are life negating tendencies that are always pulling on you.
Then: a gift presented to you as a "profound truth" cannot be fully embraced. Many concepts and truths require a deep understanding that comes only with a certain level of awareness. - Giving your "perfect gift" to someone is damaging. It upsets their own natural process. Of course everyone is already so topsy-turvy, desperately seeking to "keep up with the Joneses" that they wouldn't recognize any authentic process if it hit them over the head. Comparison and Envy run the modern world. It is not always about material possessions. It is about "awareness", "enlightenment", the perfect philosophy, attaining Nirvana. (It is easy enough to step out of it.)
Interest in the abstruse EXACTLY EQUALS disinterest in your present life, and impatience with the sorting out of its contradictions. I work on the knack of widening your realm of possibility. I claim it is simple.
A decade ago, I thought of Jung as a charlatan; Good for you.
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Hi Camellia.
OMG, WOW!
Camellia, you have brought back memories and reminded me of an unusual event. It had to do with Carl Jung and the Post-Jungists, whose books I read a long time ago when I was studying Corporate Finance. You see there was this book shop near University that I visited between lecture breaks LOL.
I do not know why, but one day I decided to visit and saw all these Jung themed books. It was fascinating flipping and reading all the blurbs on their back covers. As it happened I ended up purchasing many books during during the course of my studies.
My favourite author, James Hillman, a Post Jungian psychologist who studied in Zurich, and later founded archetypal pyschology movement then later retired in private practice.
I read his and enjoyed books over the years: The Soul's code; Archetypal Psychology; Revisioning Psychology; Puer Aeternus; A Blue Fire; City and The Soul etc etc
And also liked Marie-Louise von Franz, a Swiss Jungian psychologist and scholar, collaborated with Jung, her work was for her psychological interpretations of fairy tales and of alchemical manuscripts. The books I read are: Individuation in Fairy Tales, Alchemy.
My prized, special book is The Dream of Poliphilo: The Soul in Love (Jungian Classics Series) Paperback – January 1, 1987 by Linda Fierz-David.
This was a Jungian interpretation of the classic and popular 14th century book - with magnificent wood cut prints, Hypnerotomachia, the name is a combination of Greek and Latin, which means the soul in strife, but the title of the book by Linda is called the soul in love. Utterly fascinating and mysterious. I read it many times trying to fathom and make sense of it all. Many years later in a city bookshop, I saw a hard cover: Hypnerotomachia. it was expensive but I had to buy it !!! LOL
I have almost forgotten I have these books and now reading your post I should revisit them again LOL
You have opened the door again, as you know life gets in the way and get side tracked.
I have to try and find them.
Thanks for the great post.