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Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious a Personal Tale

At the beginning of December 2013, I found myself at a breaking point. I had been feeling lost and stuck in my life, and the weight of my own confusion was starting to feel unbearable. I knew I needed to make a change, but I had no idea how to do it.

That's when I stumbled upon Meetup.com, a website that helps people find groups and events in their area. I started searching for courses and workshops that might help me deal with my existential crisis, and I found two that caught my eye: a Shamanic Drum Journey Class and a Rebirth and Renewal class. Both were being held in Oakland, California, which was a bit of a journey from my home in Redwood City.

Despite the distance, I felt drawn to both courses, and I decided to take a chance and sign up for both. The Shamanic Drum Journey Class was happening that weekend, so I packed a bag and headed to Oakland.

As I sat in the drumming circle, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The rhythmic beat of the drums seemed to soothe my troubled soul, and I felt a connection to something greater than myself. After the class, I found myself wandering the empty streets of Berkeley, feeling contemplative and a little bit lost.

That's when I stumbled upon a Half-Price Bookstore, and I felt a sudden urge to go inside. As I perused the Self-Help Section, I felt a sense of excitement and possibility. I picked up books by some of the great thinkers of our time, including Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Ken Wilber, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Don Miguel Ruiz.

Most of the books resonated with me, but there was one that I just couldn't get into: Sigmund Freud's "The Sexual Enlightenment of Children." I felt repulsed by the subject matter and quickly put the book back on the shelf. Instead, I found myself drawn to the works of Carl Jung, who had been a prized student of Freud's before publicly separating from him due to his disagreements about Freud's focus on sex.

Jung's theories on the human psyche fascinated me, and I found myself devouring his works. I became a student of his teachings and embarked on a journey of self-discovery that would lead me to some of the most profound realizations of my life.

One of Jung's key insights was the idea of Individuation, which states that the psyche is a self-regulating system that seeks to maintain balance and growth. This understanding was a revelation to me, as I had always felt like there was something wrong with me. But Jung's teachings showed me that my inner struggles were part of a natural process of transformation and growth.

Over time, I learned to embrace my polarities and work towards finding balance within myself. I underwent many ego deaths and rebirths, and each time, I emerged stronger and more whole.

Today, as the world faces a new crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, I find myself once again leaning on the teachings of Carl Jung. I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, there is a light within us that can guide us towards growth and transformation.

If you are struggling with polarization and uncertainty, remember that you are not alone. Your psyche is in the process of transformation, and with time and patience, you will find your way forward.

Contemplation:

  • Have you ever faced a moment in your life where you felt completely stuck and unable to move forward? What did you do to overcome it?

  • When you encounter moments of polarization, what techniques have you found helpful in navigating the tension between opposing forces?

  • How has your experience with crisis transformed your approach to personal growth and development?

  • For those currently experiencing a crisis, what advice would you give to help them shift their perspective and move forward?

  • In what ways has exploring the unconscious elements impacting you helped you to better understand and navigate life's challenges?So stay curious, my dear friend, and keep exploring the depths of your own psyche. You never know what insights and revelations you might find along the way. And if you need a little help along the journey, don't hesitate to seek out the wisdom of the great thinkers who have come before us.

If you need help working through this, I am available for Akashic Record Readings on my Etsy Store - Akashic Astrology Shop

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Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious a Personal Tale
Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious a Personal Tale

At the beginning of December 2013, I found myself at a breaking point. I had been feeling lost and stuck in my life, and the weight of my own confusion was starting to feel unbearable. I knew I needed to make a change, but I had no idea how to do it.

That's when I stumbled upon Meetup.com, a website that helps people find groups and events in their area. I started searching for courses and workshops that might help me deal with my existential crisis, and I found two that caught my eye: a Shamanic Drum Journey Class and a Rebirth and Renewal class. Both were being held in Oakland, California, which was a bit of a journey from my home in Redwood City.

Despite the distance, I felt drawn to both courses, and I decided to take a chance and sign up for both. The Shamanic Drum Journey Class was happening that weekend, so I packed a bag and headed to Oakland.

Peeling Away the Persona: Becoming Your Authentic Self According to Carl Jung
Peeling Away the Persona: Becoming Your Authentic Self According to Carl Jung

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Carl Jung

According to Carl Jung, the persona is the social face or role an individual presents to the world. The root of the word persona comes from the Greek word "actor's mask." When used under Carl Jung's model of the psyche, persona also means the social mask. Therefore our persona, much like a mask at a Masquerade, is designed to make an impression on others. It also conceals the authentic nature of the individual.

Understanding the Ego: Using it as a Tool, Not a Master"
Understanding the Ego: Using it as a Tool, Not a Master"

"The ego is not a thing but a verb" - Alan Watts

The ego is a complex phenomenon that has fascinated psychologists and philosophers for centuries. It is a term that is often used in our everyday language, yet its function and importance are not fully understood. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of the ego and its role in our lives.

Carl Jung defined the ego as the center of our field of consciousness. Imagine an egg-shaped circle around our human body, and the ego is the yolk. The ego resides in our psyche and is part of our conscious awareness, although not all of the operations of the ego are conscious. Ego gives us our sense of identity and existence. The ego is the organized part of our personality and works as a command center performing defensive, perceptual, intellectual-cognitive, and executive functions. In layman's terms, the data organized by the ego comes in the form of sense, feelings, thoughts, intuition, and modulates our access to memories. The ego is the connection between the inner and outer world, which then sets the constructs on how we relate to the external world.

The Shadow: What It Is, Obstacles to Look Out For, and the Benefits of Doing Shadow Work
The Shadow: What It Is, Obstacles to Look Out For, and the Benefits of Doing Shadow Work

John Welwood coined the phrase "spiritual bypassing." In his words, it means "spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep personal, emotional 'unfinished business,' to shore up a shaky sense of self, or to belittle basic needs, feelings, and developmental tasks." I sheepishly admit I have done my fair share of spiritual bypassing in my day. It was always with good intentions, I promise. I wanted to focus on all the positive qualities within myself and shut out the rest. I thought it would lead me to be a better version of myself. However, just as the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved on good intentions."

It got to a point where I was living so high vibe that I found myself triggered by all that was opposite of that state. However, the time came when I had to sit with the dissonance growing in my heart. I had to face my shadow. The shadow is the repressed parts of ourselves that tend to show up in other people in present circumstances. However, if someone triggers you, it is not necessarily always your shadow. Regardless of what it is, the key is to explore the possibility that it might be your shadow. To better understand the trigger and what is happening within, inner reflection is required. The other intriguing thing about the shadow is that just like in real life, we don't see our own shadow well, but others around us can often clearly see it.

Exploring Carl Jung's Concept of the Collective Shadow: Moving Beyond "Us vs. Them" Mentality
Exploring Carl Jung's Concept of the Collective Shadow: Moving Beyond "Us vs. Them" Mentality

"None of us stands outside humanity's black collective shadow," said Carl Jung.

These words ring true even today, as we continue to grapple with the deeply ingrained societal issues that plague us. We live in a world where it's all too easy to take sides, to see things in black and white, to label people as "us" or "them." But this divisive mindset only serves to further fuel the collective shadow that looms over us all.

The individual shadow, as we have previously discussed, is the repressed parts of our own selves. But what many fail to realize is that this individual shadow is but a small part of a larger, collective shadow that encompasses our entire society. This shadow is made up of the suppressed and repressed parts of our culture, the traumas we've experienced as a group, and the dark aspects of our collective psyche that we would rather ignore than confront.

Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of Your Subconscious
Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of Your Subconscious

"Carl Jung once said that the dream is a small, hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul, opening to a primeval cosmic night that was soul long before there was a conscious ego and will be soul far beyond what a conscious ego could ever reach.

Dreams have a way of bringing to the surface what is buried deep in the subconscious.

The Anima and Animus: Understanding the Inner Opposites
The Anima and Animus: Understanding the Inner Opposites

In the world of psychology, the concept of the anima and animus is an essential part of understanding the human psyche. These archetypes were first introduced by the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, who believed that every individual has both masculine and feminine qualities within them, regardless of their gender identity.

The anima represents the feminine aspect within a man's psyche, while the animus represents the masculine aspect within a woman's psyche. These aspects of our psyche can manifest in various ways, depending on how well they are integrated into our conscious awareness. When these aspects are not well integrated, they can cause trouble in our relationships with others and ourselves.

Cultivating The Self: Practices for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
Cultivating The Self: Practices for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Carl Jung once said, "The Self...might equally be called the 'God within us.'" In the depths of our being lies the Self, the totality of our conscious and unconscious, the place where we access our divinity. But how do we connect with this higher Self, and what happens when we do?

For some, the path to the Self may come through meditation, yoga, a vision quest, or even a near-death experience. For others, it may involve examining our shadows, integrating our anima/animus, and encountering the wise man/woman within us. Whatever the journey, the experience of connecting with the Self can be transformative and life-changing.

Archetypes: Unveiling the Mystic and Significance
Archetypes: Unveiling the Mystic and Significance

Carl Jung once said, "The primordial image, or archetype, is a figure--be it a daemon, a human being, or a process--that constantly recurs in the course of history and appears wherever creative fantasy is freely expressed. Essentially, therefore, it is a mythological figure..." These archetypal images are symbols, motifs, and universal patterns that are buried deep in our collective unconscious and our primal nature. They have been present since the beginning of human history and can be found in religion, business, myths, and in the timeless characters we love.

Understanding archetypes and their significance can give us a better insight into our internal conflicts, the role society plays in our lives, and how we can use them to create meaningful change. Archetypes help us to understand ourselves and others, giving us a framework to work with in our everyday lives.

The Path of Individuation: Understanding Carl Jung's Model of the Psyche
The Path of Individuation: Understanding Carl Jung's Model of the Psyche

Have you ever felt like there is something missing in your life, like you're not quite living up to your full potential or purpose? If so, you're not alone. Many of us feel this way at some point in our lives. Carl Jung, a renowned Swiss psychologist, believed that the path to living a fulfilling and meaningful life is through the process of individuation.

Individuation is the journey of becoming your true self. It's a process of self-discovery, growth, and transformation that leads to a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment. It's the process of integrating all aspects of yourself, both the light and the dark, into a cohesive whole.

What is Synchronicity?
What is Synchronicity?

Have you ever experienced a moment where you randomly bumped into an old friend you were just thinking about? Or received a phone call from someone you were just thinking of calling? These types of events are often called coincidences or synchronicities, and they can have a profound impact on our lives.

Synchronicity is a concept that was first introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. He defined it as a meaningful coincidence that occurs without any apparent cause. Essentially, it's when two or more events happen in a way that seems to defy the laws of probability and suggests a deeper connection.

Understanding Shadow Projection: How Our Unconscious Beliefs Shape Our Perception of Others
Understanding Shadow Projection: How Our Unconscious Beliefs Shape Our Perception of Others

Projection is a complex psychological phenomenon that occurs when we unconsciously attribute to others the qualities or traits that we cannot or do not want to recognize in ourselves. This can happen in many areas of our lives, such as in our personal relationships, at work, in our communities, and even in our political views.

For example, if someone has an unconscious fear of being abandoned, they may project this fear onto their partner and perceive them as distant or uncaring, even if their partner is not behaving in that way. In reality, the person is projecting their own fear of abandonment onto their partner, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflict in the relationship.

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