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