Jung’s Individuation: The Pathway to the Whole Self The Whole Self is the matured, developed psyche. The In-dividual can only become one’s own self and reach one’s unique potential when one stops looking to the world for answers, which breeds conformity, and chooses to become aware of and integrate all parts of the Self. The parts of the Self include: the Persona, the Ego, the Shadow, the Anima/Animus (the feminine and masculine), and the Unconscious.

The Conscious and Unconscious Aspects of the Self The Self The PersonaThe EgoThe Shadow The Anima/Animus

The Persona  It is the face or mask we represent to the outside world.  It is not our full self but if we identify with it, we think it can be all we are. “I am a doctor” as opposed to “I practice medicine.”  A developed persona allows us to get along in the world but awareness of our deeper selves opens us up to our potentials.

The Ego  The Ego gives us an identity that distinguishes itself from others.  It is the center of consciousness making daily decisions.  It is a limited part of us; the “I.”  It is not the totality of the psyche.

The Shadow  The shadow is the disowned, inferior parts of us that we hide, suppress, or repress.  We suppress the dark impulses, desires, fantasies, cowardliness, greed, etc. because out the open, we’d feel shame and outcasted.  We need to suppress these impulses to some extent while allowing it to be guided, loved, and expressed in a healthy, creative way. An artistic talent may hide out in the Shadow.

The Anima/Animus Anima  It is the feminine (mother) psychological tendencies in the psyche of a man e.g. feelings, moods, intuition, love, and receptivity.  If he closes the Anima off, he becomes hostile or disrespectful toward women by projecting his resentments onto other women. He becomes cold, harsh, domineering, overly rational and insensitive.  A non-healthy anima creates an effeminate, touchy man who become prey for women.  It can be a valuable messenger between the unconscious and the conscious opening the door to major insight. Animus  It is the masculine (father) psychological tendencies in the psyche of a woman e.g. logic, courage, wisdom, and power.  A non-healthy animus is judgmental (how things must be), aggressive, dominating, and unreasonable.  The positive side allows the women to obtain knowledge and wisdom when the tendency is to obey authority.

The Unconscious  The Personal Unconscious is the hidden collection of forgotten memories, instincts, desires, perceptions, and emotions that we are unaware of.  It appears in dreams and bigotry and knowledge of it is knowledge of the self and potential to create  The Collective Unconscious consists of characteristics and archetypes that many people have in common inherited at birth e.g. fear, happiness, coward, hero, victim, prostitute, servant, etc.

Archetypes  Archetypes are ageless roles that act out different forms of behavior. These mythic themes appear in legends, Shakespearean dramas, and Bible stories.  Every person who has ever lived on earth, fits into one of these 12 archetypes or mythic themes: The Destroyer, The Fool, The Innocent, The Magician, The Martyr, The Patriarch/Matriarch, The Ruler, The Seducer, The Seeker, The Servant, The Warrior, and The Wise One.  Each one has a positive and negative side and the goal is to integrate all of them and be victimized by none of them.

The Path to Wholeness  Persona : Be aware of your persona and strive to be authentic and genuine so you can integrate your persona with your real self.  The Ego: Allow it to learn from the Unconscious.  The Shadow: Acknowledge, accept, and love the embarrasing, negative parts of you.  Anima/Animus: Empower them so you can benefit from both sides of the feminine and masculine side of your nature.  Archetypes : Identify yours eliminate its power over you.