Carl Gustav Jung

Emphasizes the necessity of self-knowledge to counteract the unconscious forces responsible for contemporary social and political crises

The Undiscovered Self

Sonu Shamdasani

C. G. Jung

These two essays, written late in Jung's life, reflect his responses to the shattering experience of WWII & the dawn of mass society. Among his most influential works, "The Undiscovered Self" is a plea for his generation -- and those to come-- to continue the individual work of self-discovery & not abandon needed psychological reflection for the easy ephemera of mass culture. Only individual awareness of both the conscious & unconscious aspects of the human psyche will allow the great work of human culture to thrive.
Jung's reflections on self-knowledge & the exploration of the unconscious carry over into the 2nd essay, "Symbols & the Interpretation of Dreams," completed shortly before his death in 1961. Describing dreams as communications from the unconscious, Jung explains how the symbols that occur in dreams compensate for repressed emotions & intuitions. This essay brings together Jung's fully evolved thoughts on the analysis of dreams & the healing of the rift between consciousness & the unconscious, ideas that are central to his system of psychology.

This edition of Jung's classic work includes a new foreword by Sonu Shamdasani, Philemon Professor of Jung History at University College London.

With Symbols and the Interpretation of Dreams

Laura Mei

The devaluation of the psyche and other resistances to psychological enlightenment are based in large measure on fear — on panic fear of the discoveries that might be made in the realm of the unconscious. It is this fear of the unconscious psyche which not only impedes self-knowledge but is the gravest obstacle to a wider understanding and knowledge of psychology. Often the fear is so great that one dares not admit it even to oneself.

Most people confuse "self-knowledge" with knowledge of their ego-personalities. But the ego knows only its own contents, not the unconscious and its contents. People measure their self-knowledge by what the average person in their social environment knows of himself, but not by the real psychic facts which are for the most part hidden from them. What is commonly called "self-knowledge" is therefore a very limited knowledge, most of it dependent on social factors, of what goes on in the human psyche. In this broad belt of unconsciousness, which is immune to conscious criticism and control, we stand defenseless, open to all kinds of influences. 

Ivaylo Durmonski

We all have responsibilities. We have families, friends, we participate in communities where our participation is of some importance. Others rely on us and need our helping hand so we can all move together and thrive. Moreover, the State and the religious settlements depend on our votes so they can form a mass movement.

However, the cultural hierarchy created and powered by the State is sadly working to our disadvantage. Our responsibility to take care of ourselves is replaced by constantly taking care of others and their interest – never actually figuring out what “I want” and “what is good for me.”

This might sound egoistic and neglectful for the surrounding people – and it actually might be. But the focus in the book is more on self-exploration and understanding ourselves, so we can improve ourselves.

The Undiscovered Self is a call to action. A book urging readers to explore themselves from within. To prevent our existence from being objectified and places in the socially constructed roles that are meant to fulfill the happiness of others, the chiefs, not our own wishes.

The core message of this book aims to explain that individually matters and that it should be explored and cherished. Paradoxically, the laws and the parties that are supposedly helping individuals are actually focusing on attracting even more followers – to amass even more power for themselves, careless of the individuals constituting their party.

The Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst warn us that we’ll never find inner satisfaction if we rely on outside forces for help. The State and the religious movements we are forced to obey don’t care about the individual. And thus, the “individual” is replaced by the “mass.”

Plainly, you are responsible to take care of your inner desires and stop constantly trying to satisfy the needs of the outsiders.

Key takeaways:

Public organizations are more interested in amassing more and more people, not caring about the individuals forming the group. That’s why communities as a whole are fragile, and the opposite of helpful. They create mass-mindedness which destroys individualism. We become a mere abstract number in the bureau of statistics. A real fundamental change can happen in private and intimate conversations and private and intimate groups. Where there is sifting through.
The paradox of the text is that weak individuals need support from the strong to flourish. Conversely, strong individuals use the weak, careless of their real desires for their own selfish needs. The examples are countless – children need support from parents, employees need a job, citizens need politicians. The solution here is not easily achievable – explore yourself to build a resilient inner character.

Read the full summary: 
https://durmonski.com/book-summaries/...

Louisa

Vanda

In The Undiscovered Self Jung explains the essence of his teaching for a readership unfamiliar with his ideas. He highlights the importance of individual responsibility and freedom in the context of today's mass society, and argues that individuals must organize themselves as effectively as the organized mass if they are to resist joining it. To help them achieve this he sets out his influential programme for achieving self-understanding and self-realization. The Undiscovered Self is a book that will awaken many individuals to the new life of the self that Jung visualized.

The Undiscovered Self

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