Yes. It's not uncommon for someone to say about a person who comes across as domineering, "they have a big ego." Actually, I respond, "they probably have diminished ego and are compensating for it with bravado." I wonder if we know anyone in the public sphere who meets this characterization?
That's exactly right! We're often so turned around with these concepts, either taking them too literally or misunderstanding the core idea. A weak and damaged ego often falls into narcissistic tendencies, not something we're used to considering, but probably see in our personal and collective lives.
I’m not sure I understand… (My Bachelors is in Psychology so I know far less about Freud and Jung than our Literature majors 😃) “The goal is to strengthen it by integrating unconscious material, which fosters psychological resiliency, flexibility, and agency.”
I don't believe depth/Jungian psychology has had as many rigorous studies done compared to the main stream therapies. In part, it is difficult to measure, track, and standardize the unconscious processes of individuals. I do think that the numerous books by Jung, other Jungian analysts and psychoanalysts offers good case studies for how this theory supports individuals in healing, development of the personality, etc.
You may find Jonathan Shedler's paper, “The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,” to be of interest for a more formal approach.
I really liked this Alyssa - as I have become more aware I can see how my ego has softened around new insights - particularly those which mean I must shift my perspective.
I’d argue both strengthening and dissolution have their place. Forms of ego dissolution are widely affirmed across a variety of serious mystical traditions (e.g. by Meister Eckhart, who Jung praised), but a strong ego is required to actively engage with the world and assert oneself. While unsuitable for navigating day-to-day life, transient ego dissolutions could possibly provide valuable insights.
I agree, although perhaps there is an issue of semantics here. Transient ego dissolution might be similar to the lowering of the field of consciousness that we experience in forms of deep meditation, active imagination, spiritual practice, etc. I think this is useful in helping relativize the ego by getting in touch with the unconscious (or the divine in the mystical traditions). I do believe this still requires a strong and grounded ego, one that can acknowledge the greater power it is touching into and its own limitations without becoming overwhelmed.
More intense versions of ego dissolution (like so-called ego death) can be incredibly destabilizing, especially if there are underlying issues or latent psychosis. The loss of the ego is usually associated with the onset of mental health issues (or other forms of psychosis). Daryl Sharp summarizes the Jungian perspective here, "Jung believed that many psychoses, and particularly schizophrenia, were psychogenic, resulting from an abaissement du niveau mental and an ego too weak to resist the onslaught of unconscious contents."
I'd like to read what Eckhart said on the subject, do you have a text you recommend? Thanks for the comment, its a nuanced conversation for sure.
In my own limited experience, it was a single brief ‘ego death’ experience with psychedelics that allowed me to appreciate religion and spirituality in an entirely new light, and this eventually led to discovering Jung and a healthier strengthening of my ego in sober life. Nothing was immediately transformed, and it was very destabilising in the short term, but with time and reflection I gained a new perspective which became very valuable to me.
Love that more people are saying this out loud! Thank you!
Observing those that repeatedly choose the “Ego Death” is incredibly fascinating. I notice two main themes:
1. Their Ego becomes majority inflated. They won’t stop talking about how they’ve overcome their ego. Then they spend all their conversation convincing themselves and others that repeated ego death will lead them to spiritual enlightenment.
2. They disconnect themselves from the reality of this world and the Earth.
This makes me more concerned for them than the first. In this time we need our enlightened guides to stay connected to the universe AND the earth. There is a sacred alliance within the earth that teaches us the beauty of individuality and how that individuality will help others.
“The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego; the second half is going inward and letting go of it”
– C.G. Jung
Thank God there's people like you out there going deeper than surface level trends.
Articles like these offer invaluable insights.
Thanks, Rowan! Appreciate your support and a great quote of Jung's too.
Yes. It's not uncommon for someone to say about a person who comes across as domineering, "they have a big ego." Actually, I respond, "they probably have diminished ego and are compensating for it with bravado." I wonder if we know anyone in the public sphere who meets this characterization?
That's exactly right! We're often so turned around with these concepts, either taking them too literally or misunderstanding the core idea. A weak and damaged ego often falls into narcissistic tendencies, not something we're used to considering, but probably see in our personal and collective lives.
I’m not sure I understand… (My Bachelors is in Psychology so I know far less about Freud and Jung than our Literature majors 😃) “The goal is to strengthen it by integrating unconscious material, which fosters psychological resiliency, flexibility, and agency.”
Is there any supporting evidence for this theory?
I don't believe depth/Jungian psychology has had as many rigorous studies done compared to the main stream therapies. In part, it is difficult to measure, track, and standardize the unconscious processes of individuals. I do think that the numerous books by Jung, other Jungian analysts and psychoanalysts offers good case studies for how this theory supports individuals in healing, development of the personality, etc.
You may find Jonathan Shedler's paper, “The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,” to be of interest for a more formal approach.
I really liked this Alyssa - as I have become more aware I can see how my ego has softened around new insights - particularly those which mean I must shift my perspective.
Thanks for reading, Fiona!
I’d argue both strengthening and dissolution have their place. Forms of ego dissolution are widely affirmed across a variety of serious mystical traditions (e.g. by Meister Eckhart, who Jung praised), but a strong ego is required to actively engage with the world and assert oneself. While unsuitable for navigating day-to-day life, transient ego dissolutions could possibly provide valuable insights.
I agree, although perhaps there is an issue of semantics here. Transient ego dissolution might be similar to the lowering of the field of consciousness that we experience in forms of deep meditation, active imagination, spiritual practice, etc. I think this is useful in helping relativize the ego by getting in touch with the unconscious (or the divine in the mystical traditions). I do believe this still requires a strong and grounded ego, one that can acknowledge the greater power it is touching into and its own limitations without becoming overwhelmed.
More intense versions of ego dissolution (like so-called ego death) can be incredibly destabilizing, especially if there are underlying issues or latent psychosis. The loss of the ego is usually associated with the onset of mental health issues (or other forms of psychosis). Daryl Sharp summarizes the Jungian perspective here, "Jung believed that many psychoses, and particularly schizophrenia, were psychogenic, resulting from an abaissement du niveau mental and an ego too weak to resist the onslaught of unconscious contents."
I'd like to read what Eckhart said on the subject, do you have a text you recommend? Thanks for the comment, its a nuanced conversation for sure.
I’m not an expert on Eckhart (or Jung), but I’ve been reading through his Complete Mystical Works, which can be found on Amazon for £70 or as a free PDF here: https://german.yale.edu/sites/default/files/meister-eckhart-maurice-o-c-walshe-bernard-mcginn-the-complete-mystical-works-of-meister-eckhart-the-crossroad-publishing-company-2009.pdf. It has 97 short sermons and a few treatises.
In my own limited experience, it was a single brief ‘ego death’ experience with psychedelics that allowed me to appreciate religion and spirituality in an entirely new light, and this eventually led to discovering Jung and a healthier strengthening of my ego in sober life. Nothing was immediately transformed, and it was very destabilising in the short term, but with time and reflection I gained a new perspective which became very valuable to me.
Thanks for the interesting reply.
Love that more people are saying this out loud! Thank you!
Observing those that repeatedly choose the “Ego Death” is incredibly fascinating. I notice two main themes:
1. Their Ego becomes majority inflated. They won’t stop talking about how they’ve overcome their ego. Then they spend all their conversation convincing themselves and others that repeated ego death will lead them to spiritual enlightenment.
2. They disconnect themselves from the reality of this world and the Earth.
This makes me more concerned for them than the first. In this time we need our enlightened guides to stay connected to the universe AND the earth. There is a sacred alliance within the earth that teaches us the beauty of individuality and how that individuality will help others.
Thank you for this piece! 🙏👏✨💚