This is a presentation-collection of thoughts about Carl Jung, his approach (of analytic psychology) to dream interpretation, and symbols and their role in dream interpretation.
Original Title
Course on Dreams-Jung and Interpretation of Dreams
This is a presentation-collection of thoughts about Carl Jung, his approach (of analytic psychology) to dream interpretation, and symbols and their role in dream interpretation.
This is a presentation-collection of thoughts about Carl Jung, his approach (of analytic psychology) to dream interpretation, and symbols and their role in dream interpretation.
Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols; Part 5: 1) Symbols in an Individual Analysis (by Jolande Jacobi); 2) Conclusion: Science and the Unconscious (by M-L von Franz), PLUS... Where the myth fails, human love begins. Then we love a human being, not our dream, but a human being with flaws. Anas Nin
Freud to Fliess (1895): We cannot do without men with the courage to think new things before they can prove them. From Four Lectures by Lance S. Owens MD:
In November of 1913 C. G. Jung embarked upon an extraordinary imaginative journey; in later life he called it his confrontation with the unconscious. An enigmatic stream of visions flooded upon him, and for the next decade he labored to accurately document these events in his private journals. As the work progressed, Jung felt a need to give the revelations from his Soul a more formal elaboration. With great artistic craft employing antique illuminated calligraphic text and stunning artwork he transcribed the record of his visions into a massive red leather-bound volume: This is the mysterious Red Book. Jung titled it Liber Novus, the Book of the New. Near the end of his life, Jung remarked about his work: The years when I pursued the inner images were the most important time of my life. Everything else is to be derived from this. It began at that time, and the later details hardly matter anymore. My entire life consisted in elaborating what had burst forth from the unconscious and flooded me like an enigmatic stream and threatened to break me. That was the stuff and material for more than only one life.... Everything later was merely the outer classification, the scientific elaboration, and the integration into life. But the numinous beginning, which contained everything, was then. Jung and his Red Book C. G. Jung's image of Philemon, his spiritual guide For nearly a century the Red Book, Liber Novus, remained Jungs hidden treasure. Only a handful of Jungs most trusted students and colleagues were allowed to see it during his life; after his death in 1961, all requests for access to the volume were refused by his family. But now, after decades veiled in mystery, the Red Book has finally been released to the world in a magnificent facsimile edition. This singular visionary volume a book that defies category or comparison is the crux for any developed understanding of Jungs psychological work. In this series of four lectures, Dr. Lance Owens discusses the genesis and content of the Red Book, and explain its central place in the life and work of C. G. Jung: 1 Anticipations: The Coming of the Red Book; 2 Imagination, Vision and Psychology; 3 The Prophet's Bride: C.G. Jung and the Red Book; 4 Liber Novus and the Hermeneutics of Vision. http://gnosis.org/redbook/
Amen, you are the song that sounds far over the water. Amen, you are beginning and the end. Detail of an illustration of a solar barge on page 55 of Carl Jung's The Red Book. Translated, the complete text on the page reads: "One word that was never spoken. / One light that was never lit up. / An unparalleled confusion. / And a road without end." According to translator Sonu Shamdasani, the solar barge "was seen as the typical means of movement of the sun" in ancient Egypt. "The Sun God protected the barge against the monster Aphophis, who attempted to swallow the solar barge as it traveled across the heavens." One word that was never spoken. One light that was never lit up. An unparalleled confusion. And a road without end. 55 This is the image from Jungs childhood imagination: Town submerged by water. An imagined conversation between Jung and a character he calls The Red One: I am finding I am standing on the highest tower of a castle. The air tells me so. I am far back in time. Soul is a Sphere... The Unconscious Personal Unconscious Freud vs. Jung The personal unconscious contains repressed memories, painful ideas, and subliminal perceptions from an individual's life. Collective Unconscious Just as animals are guided by instincts, Jung feels there are universal archetypal images which we are programmed to respond to. The collective unconscious is an impersonal or transpersonal unconscious. The collective unconscious contains those elements common to the tribe, the family, the nation, the race. Jung noticed the similarities in the myths and fantasies of different times and places. These concepts account for such similarities and for the fact that mythological elements crop up in dreams, psychotic fantasies, and so on in individuals who have not been exposed to these mythic ideas in their lives. guided by Archetypes Archetypes are: a) Common to all people; b) Emotional patterns that have been formed over time as reoccurring reactions to events; c) Predispose us to react in predictable ways to certain stimuli. Notion similar to Platonic idealism. The archetypes are certain regular motifs or consistently recurring types of situations or types of figures which arise from the collective experience and which can be found in mythology, e.g. Persona/ Shadow Animus/ Anima The Great Mother/ Evil Mother (Sense of generativity and fertility vs. sterility) The Divine Child/ God The Magician/ Trickster The Hero/ Demon (Good and evil) The Wise Old Man or Woman /The Fool To some extent, Jung regarded these as a priori and to some extent inherited. They give rise to our fantasy lives. The Self The little s self Ego has limited view Ego thinks it sees the big picture The big S Self The whole Includes both conscious and unconscious Personal and the collective Persona Face we present to the world Mask from Greek theater Ego has limited grasp of whole Self: The psyche cannot be reduced to the ego. It embraces a much wider reality that Jung called the collective unconscious, and the lowest level of that unconscious is nature. Dreams of nakedness, clothing, cosmetics, etc. may reflect Persona issues. The Shadow Dark shadow: - The dark side of our nature the part we disown and tend to project onto others; Bright shadow; Personal and collective; Dreams with negative, scary people of your same gender may express shadow issues. Relationship Between Persona and Shadow Two opposing archetypes (the battle within). Persona refers to the outer (idealized) mask of the personality-- that which a person wishes to show the world; while the shadow represents those feared and unknown parts that the person chooses to hide both from self and others. Both persona and shadow have collective and personal components. The persona is a compromise between the individual and society. The more rigid our persona, the darker our shadow. The shadow is a necessary aspect. Anima The mostly unconscious feminine aspect in men The whole nature of man presupposes woman, both physically and spiritually. His system is tuned into woman from the start, just as it is prepared for a quite definite world where there is water, light, air, salt, carbohydrates etc.. Every man carries within him the eternal image of woman, not the image of this or that particular woman, but a definite feminine image. This image is fundamentally unconscious, an hereditary factor of primordial origin engraved in the living organic system of the man, an imprint or "archetype" of all the ancestral experiences of the female, a deposit, as it were, of all the impressions ever made by woman-in short, an inherited system of psychic adaptation. Even if no women existed, it would still be possible, at any given time, to deduce from this unconscious image exactly how a woman would have to be constituted psychically. The same is true of the woman: she too has her inborn image of man. Woman always stands just where the man's shadow falls, so that he is only too liable to confuse the two. Then, when he tries to repair this misunderstanding, he overvalues her and believes her the most desirable thing in the world. Animus The mostly unconscious masculine aspect in women The conscious side of woman corresponds to the emotional side of man, not to his mind. Mind makes up the soul, or better, the animus of woman, and just as the anima of a man consists of inferior relatedness, full of affect, so the animus of woman consists of inferior judgments, or better, opinions. For a woman, the typical danger emanating from the unconscious comes from above, from the spiritual sphere personified by the animus, whereas for a man it comes from the chthonic realm of the world and woman, i.e., the anima projected on to the world. Unconscious assumptions or opinions are the worst enemy of woman; they can even grow into a positively demonic passion that exasperates and disgusts men, and does the woman herself the greatest injury by gradually smothering the charm and meaning of her femininity and driving it into the background. Such a development naturally ends in profound psychological disunion, in short, in a neurosis. The Complex Complexes are certain constellations of psychic elements (ideas, opinions, convictions, etc.) grouped around emotionally sensitive areas. Complexes are produced during a struggle between opposing archetypes. There is a (1) nuclear element and (2) cluster of associations attached to the nucleus. Often the nucleus is a deep unconscious wound, deep enough to lay bare the archetype. Thus, an archetypal image often forms the nucleus of a complex. e.g. Oedipus complex Inferiority complex Power complex Savior complex Healer complex Mother complex Ego complex Dreams tell us about them. Complexes become constellated around psychic wounds deep enough to lay bare the archetype. Thus, an archetypal image often forms the nucleus of a complex.
Intuition | Feeling ----|------ Thinking | Sensation Synchronicity Meaningfully related coincidences Golden scarab dream of resistant patient Based on 1952 essay, "Synchronicity, An Acausal Connecting Principle Corresponded with Einstein and others on quantum physics Also with J.B. Rhine, famous ESP researcher at Duke University Causality is only one principle and psychology essentially cannot be exhausted by causal methods only, because the mind (=psyche) lives by aims as well. **Jung had been long aware of events in his own life and those of his patients that seem to defy the normal laws of causality. For example, one of his patients whose treatment had resisted progress because of her excessively rationalistic cast of mind, had a dream in which she received a golden scarab, an insect that plays an important role in Egyptian mythology. Later, when she was telling Jung the dream, he heard a gentle tapping at the window, and when he opened it, in flew a scaraboid type beetle which was Switzerland's equivalent to the golden scarab, and he caught it in his hand and handed it to her and said, "Here is your scarab." This uncanny event had the effect of breaking through the rationalistic shell that she had built around herself. Individuation Maslow : Self-Actualization Eastern spirituality: Enlightenment Process rather than end-state The development, unfolding, or maturation of the Self, particularly when this is consciously tracked through introspection The Inner Marriage Refers to the coming to terms with inner male and female and generally signifies a coming to terms with opposites-- anima and animus-- the contra-sexual side is unconscious and needs to be integrated. Jung sees psyche as purposive i.e. not just driven by the past Tree/seed metaphor Symbols of Transcendence In Man & His Symbols by Jung et al, mention is made of a number of common symbols of transcendence They include: Trickster, shaman, bird, lonely journey or pilgrimage, an ancient tree or plant, animals, rodents, lizards, snakes, ascending to a mountain top, winged horse or winged dragon, etc.
Jung and Dreams Language of the dream Function of the dream Dream Interpretation Language of The Dream Freud: 1) Censorship; 2) Primary process thinking. Jung: 1) Dreams speak in language of metaphor; 2) It is a learnable language; 3) Dream seeks to reveal, rather than to conceal (not trying to hide its meaning; not trying to trick us). Function of The Dream
Freud: 1) Wish fulfillment; 2) Protect sleep
Jung: 1) Compensatory function: a) Correcting biases of the conscious mind; b) Jungs crick in the neck dream. 2) Prospective function: a) Agrees with Freud that dreams may look backward; b) But they also may provide a vision of the future; c) Jungs dreams foreshadowing WW I . 1. Jungs compensatory dream: Realized something was not right in relationship with a female patient. Decided to raise the issue in next therapy session. That night dreamt he was in a valley looking high up at a woman in a castle. He woke with a crick in his neck from looking up. If in the dream I had to look up at the patient in this fashion, in reality I had probably been looking down on her. Dreams are, after all, compensations for the conscious attitude. When he shared the dream and interpretation, there was an immediate positive change in the therapeutic relationship. 2. Hour-long vision of an ocean of blood rushing over the Alps and drowning all of Western civilization. Series of dreams in which an Arctic cold wave descended upon Europe, killing all life. These were a year before the war broke out in 1914. Interpreting The Dream Freud: Free associations. Jung: 1) Critical of free associations (a) Always goes back to childhood; b) Always leads to neurotic hang-ups, i.e. complexes); 2) Amplification: a) Must begin with an open mind, willingness to discover something new; b) Examine context of the dreamers life; c) Amplification keeps circling around the dream image (Personal associations; Functional associations; Mythical, archetypal, literary, anthropological, and historical associations); 3) Objective vs. Subjective level of meaning (The dream is a theater in which the dreamer is himself the scene, the player, the promoter, the producer, the author, the public, and the critic); 4) Active Imagination: a) Dreaming the dream onward; b) Dialoguing with the dream and/or dream elements; c) Giving concrete expression to the dream, e.g. painting, poetry, dance, etc.; 5) Interpretation of archetypal symbols: a) No fixed meanings to symbols. No dream books.; b) Archetypal symbols with universal meanings transcending individuals consciousness; c) Archetypes not specific images but blueprints for images that are filled in with material from individuals life.
The Break Between Jung and Freud Breaking point was Jungs belief in archetypal symbols 1909 trip to Clark University in the U.S. to receive honorary degrees They share dreams on the steamship trip across the Atlantic Jungs dream: Finds himself in second story of a house which he feels is his house; going down to ground floor, he sees medieval furniture and decorations. He then follows a stone stairway down to the cellar, which turns out to be from ancient Rome. Finds a stone slab in the floor, opens it, and descends into a dark cave strewn with bones and the remains of a primitive culture. On the dusty floor of the case, he sees two human skulls, very old and half disintegrated. Freud saw this dream as a primitive death wish against Jungs parents. Jung saw the dream as a structural diagram of the human psyche, showing a collective unconscious below the personal unconscious.
Sigmund Freud's ashes at the Golders Green Crematorium. The pain due to the cancer in his Jaw became so severe that Dr. Freud asked his physician to administer doses of morphine that would result in a physician-assisted suicide on September 23, 1939. Protestant Church Graveyard Kusnacht Zrich, Switzerland Jungs Two Attitude Types Even the layman can identify the attitude types
Introvert-- 25% of Population
Extroverts-- 75% of Population Everyone knows those reserved, inscrutable, rather shy people who form the strongest possible contrast to the open, sociable, jovial or at least friendly and approachable characters who are on good terms with everybody, or quarrel with everybody, but always relate to them in some way and in turn are affected by them. Psychological Types, CW Vol. 6 Par 557 Introverts Hesitant Reflective Retiring Keeps to self Shrinks from objects Slightly defensive Conservative Prefers familiar surroundings Self-sufficient Predictable Few close friends Focus-INTERNAL & SUBJECTIVE FACTORS Introversion, e.g.: I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what Ill be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing. Extroverts Open and Outgoing Candid Accommodating nature Adapt easily to situations Form quick attachments Adventurous and like to travel Friendly and like to meet new people Focus is on EXTERNAL & OBJECTIVE Factors Extraversion, e.g.: I like getting my energy from active involvement in events and having a lot of different activities. Im excited when Im around people and I like to energize other people. I like moving into action and making things happen. I generally feel at home in the world. I often understand a problem better when I can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say. Jungs Four Functions For complete orientation, all four functions should contribute equally: thinking should facilitate cognition and judgment; feeling should tell us how and to what extent a thing is important or unimportant for us, sensation should convey concrete reality to us through seeing, hearing, tasting, etc., and intuition should enable us to divine the hidden possibilities in the background, since these too belong to the complete picture of a given situation (my emphasis). Psychological Types, CW, Vol. 6; Par. 900. INTUITION Jungs Functional Types FEELING SENSING THINKING Function of logical, objective and impersonal discrimination Not based on intelligence or quality of thought Feeling is antithetical to Thinking Process of weighing values Function of subjective judgments Takes time Acts with timing and tact Based on personal/social values Not based on affect or emotion Nature of feeling is complex, holistic Perception by means of five senses Establishes that something exists An irrational function--not based on reason Subordinates judgment to perception- -basis of judgment is totally on experience. Dependent on objects that excite sensations Perceives by way of the unconscious Expectant Attitude, Optimistic Approach Active, creative process of seeing into things Oriented to the background of consciousness Has a nose for future; for not yet manifested possibilities Inner vision The Rational Functions: Thinking and Feeling Rational functions make logical discriminations based on:
Reflective judgments (Thinking)
Valuations (Feelings)
Irrational Functions - Sensing and Intuition - Make judgments based on the following perceptions:
Things exist and are experienced by the five senses Things exist in themselves and are intuited unconsciously Primary Function Fully under the control of the will Decisive in orientating consciousness Habitual Most natural Most favored Most developed One sided development may result Auxiliary Function Complements primary function Does not oppose primary function Second of most import to consciousness Not completely reliable or decisive Nature is different from primary function May be slightly or fully unconscious Fourth Function -- The Inferior Function Resists integration into consciousness Autonomous--not under ones conscious will Bridge to the Unconscious Attacks the primary function Infantile, primitive, and archaic in its expression Happens to us Generally Slow and Difficult to consciously engage/express Characteristics of a Thinking Type Introverted Type Subjective orientation-- begins and ends there Ideas & Metaphors Brings order to and through theories/ideas-- not original thinking Internal world of fantasy and image Black & White Judgments. Reserved about facts, open to new insights, theories, options and mentation Indifferent to other opinions
Extroverted Type Object orientation Actions governed by intellectual reflection Focus is on external situation not ideas Attached to ideals Brings order by taking a definite stand Oriented to getting the facts straight not swayed by emotion Excels at bringing order to life
Inferior Function of Thinking-- Feeling Function Extroverted Feeling Feelings tied to external objects--sticky Strong outward loyalty to objects Overwhelming affect with little control Negative, primitive affect and bitterness Influenced by others in personal matters Lack of calculation Judgment is cold
Introverted Feeling Feelings tied to inner intensity of subject Mournful judgments about life choices Hidden influence on others Still waters run deep. Never grasped. Strong but invisible faithfulness to friends I love you, but its none of your business. Rilke Childish/sentimental feelings--tied to mother The Holy Grail of the Unconscious; By SARA CORBETT(2009) http://www.nytimes.com/ 2009/09/20/magazine/20j ung-t.html