Our internal Journey

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This book is the story behind the man, Carl Gustav Jung, who lived from 1865 to 1961, and who has had such a profound influence on modern psychology. Written mostly by the man himself, this is not a list of dates and events, but a personal history of the internal images, thoughts and feelings that led Jung to develop the insights that have made him so famous. Born into a religious family, Jung at a very early age had dreams and visions that conflicted strongly with the religious beliefs and discussions that surrounded him.

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He describes the internal conflicts and the ways in which he dealt with them. He suggests that this conflict exists within all of us, but many people are not conscious of it.Jung’s appraoch to his patients was to listen carefully to their story – trying to understand the human background and the human suffering before offering any clinical diagnosis. He points out that the peril which threatens us all nowadays comes not from nature, but from man, from the psyches of the individual and the mass. He stresses the importance, for anyone working in the field of psychotherapy, of understanding themselves, not just the patient, because he believed that in therapy, the whole personality of both doctor and patient come into play. He found that his own dreams were often influenced by the course of therapy with a patient, and he gained many useful insights that way.

Jung describes man’s great gift as being that of consciousness, his ability to reflect and use his mind. To Jung, then, the prime goal of mankind is to develop that consciousness, through developing self-knowledge. ‘As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.’ Carl Gustav Jung was a man who certainly achieved that goal.

My Little Journey

                             

            Journey, as I view it, is a process likened to traveling, such as a series of trying experiences: a passage. When engaged in journey I best think that keeping a journal helps you store the most important events of that journey. A journal is a series of writings done by a person in response to daily life. It contains descriptions of events. I make distinctions between a journal and a diary. I consider diary to contain a description of events of the day. A journal may contain descriptions, but it also contains your reflections on the events, and your feelings about them.

            My personal journey has been one full of ups and downs. At the end of a good one I always feel myself filled with fulfillment and at the end of a bad one I always see a bright light.  There a few things I have learned during this writing process that may help anyone that struggle and wonder through different phases of life. These are tips that helps us continue through life.

It’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to wear and own your imperfections, and to fall flat on your face – as long as you keep reaching out for support and maintain the courage to put one foot in front of the other. Always remember actions speak louder than words. Learn to say no as much as you say yes. Mistakes are powerful gifts, don’t leave the lessons within them concealed – gently unwrap a mistake to again the wisdom within its rough exterior. By acknowledging when you don’t know the answers and shedding light on you vulnerabilities, you are creating space for your authentic self to live wholeheartedly and courageously. Gratitude is the greatest gift you can give to another human being. When journey gets tough, remember that sometimes you may have to fight the battle more than once to win it.