Working with Complexes
How emotional states reveal unconscious material
What unconscious insights can we uncover during heightened emotional experiences?
There is no one path to discovering unconscious material within us. Insights and perceptions can can be gleaned in a variety of ways — from the images in our dreams1, from patterns of impulsive behavior, in our mysterious somatic symptoms. We can also attune to our emotional states. Where did this sudden rage come from? Why am I in tears and feeling so sadly? What brings forth this rush of joy and connection?
While this serves as a good starting point for nurturing curiosity about the inner workings of the psyche, further opportunity awaits.
“Every emotional state produces an alteration of consciousness which Janet called abaissement du niveau mental; that is to say there is a certain narrowing of consciousness and a corresponding strengthening of the unconscious which, particularly in the case of strong affects, is noticeable even to the layman. The tone of the unconscious is heightened, thereby creating a gradient for the unconscious to flow towards the conscious. The conscious then comes under the influence of unconscious instinctual impulses and contents. These are as a rule complexes whose ultimate basis is the archetype, the “instinctual pattern.”
- C.G. Jung, Structure & Dynamics of the Psyche (CW8)
The main takeaways from Jung are:
Heightened emotions cause altered states of consciousness (where ego dims).
The contents of the unconscious thus intensify and break through the surface.
This reveals structures of the psyche, like complexes2, and more deeply, the archetypal foundations they sit upon.
Charged emotional states are by no means an easy experience. They often leave us feeling wiped out, disoriented, guilty; the temptation to minimize the outburst or sweep it back under the rug pulls strongly at us. If, however, we can sharpen our awareness to discern the subtle signals emanating from the unconscious during these moments, we are likely to uncover both archetypal and personal traces of our inner world. With this knowledge, we can deepen our self-awareness and facilitate integration and development of personality.
Exploring and Integrating the Complex
“To define the term "complex" briefly, one might say it is an unconscious or half-conscious cluster of representations laden with emotion. A complex consists of a nucleus and a surrounding field of associations.”
- Barbara Hannah, The Inner Journey: Essays on Jungian Psychology
Rather than attempt to pierce immediately into the heart of these experiences, we will explore the surrounding associations, all the aspects that form the contents of the complex. This helps us build a foundation of understanding around the unconscious dynamics, laying the groundwork to eventually go deeper and access the core.
Below are 3 steps and guidelines for the process.
I. — Choose a Situation
Consider a recent time of emotionality. It may encompass a spectrum of possibility, ranging from overwhelming intensity to detachment and emptiness. It might evoke a feeling of being flooded or overtaken by something beyond your usual mode of consciousness. Alternatively, life may suddenly seem devoid of its color, beauty, and aliveness. There is often a sense afterwards that I was not myself.
II. — Elements of the Complex
The next step in the process is to take note of the elements of the complex3:
Emotions (the array of feelings present)
Images (mental pictures, symbols or visual representations)
Thoughts (beliefs, judgements and ideas)
Memories (recollections of past events)
Physical sensations (noticeable bodily responses)
III. — Reflection and Integration
Step two often needs to be repeated many times over, especially around compulsive reactions and behaviors we cannot seem to change. Each time we engage in the exercise, we gain more insight. It often takes several repetitions to fill out the list completely. With consistency, the general patterns start to reveal itself. Here are some prompts that can help facilitate integration:
What elements from step 2 really stick out, that have the most energy? Or, what do you notice repeating each time you do the exercise?
Can you make any connections back to past events? If so, what happened during that time of your life that may be unresolved?
Outside of personal dynamics, these disruptive complexes also have a way of drawing us deeper into personhood. Consider — What purpose does this complex serve? How is it trying to support the greater development of my life? What qualities does it want me to integrate and claim?
What might the complex (i.e. the aspects of yourself) need to feel resolved, heard, and welcomed?
Consider bringing in the archetypal4 thread if you want to further contextualize your personal experience against its instinctual basis.
Here’s an example of this process at work in my life.
I. — Choose a Situation:
A mixup with my scheduling system at work led to a double booking for my clients, with one individual missing their session completely. It wasn’t clear till well after the session concluded what had happened. When I realized it, I felt really upset; it seemed to strike a chord that left me deeply emotional.
II. — Elements of the complex:
Emotions: Remorse, disappointment, anger.
Images: Wandering through a dark and chaotic storm.
Thoughts: “I should have caught this.” “It’s my job to foresee these events.” “I failed."
Memories: Times in school when I was unprepared for a group project. Working as a waitress and forgetting orders.
Physical sensations: Tightness in the chest. Body feeling on high alert.
III. — Reflection and Integration
The memory images really stuck out as they linked back to the emotional tones and thought patterns from the exercise.
I can now see the previous events in a new light — there are times I held myself to a high standard I did not achieve (due to understandable conditions). I have a deep level of conscientiousness that becomes persecutory. I am not giving myself room for mistakes or factors out of my control.
The complex is presenting me with an opportunity to develop compassion, grace, and understanding towards myself; which are qualities that come naturally when I deal with others, but struggle to apply inwardly at times.
To find resolution, I need to slow down when these events happen. Allow the persecutory voice to have space to be heard, but don’t give it free rein to terrorize my inner landscape. I can shift my perspective and reframe this to: How would I approach this if it happened to a friend or loved one?
The main archetypal pattern that came up was one of the caretaker. It felt that the sense of failure was less about perfectionism and more so about letting other people down. When someone else was involved, there is a heightened need to handle a situation correctly, so that things go smoothly and the needs of others are met. It leads me to wonder how I can balance the caretaker’s influence so I can utilize it constructively in all areas of life.
Join the conversation in the comments:
All comments are welcome, but here are a few prompts to consider:
Do you have any thoughts or questions on the concept of complexes?
Have you used other techniques to navigate and work with complexes in your life?
What main complex are you grappling with currently?
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I touched on this Dreamwork in Practice #2.
For more on complexes see: The Child in the Tower or my podcast episode on the subject - Compelxes & Neurosis.
You can take account of these elements during the experience, although it is a task that requires considerable ego stability and nervous system resilience. Otherwise, record as much of this immediately afterward, when you have come back to yourself.
For more on working with archetypes, check out my guide - The Archetypal Ground: Uncovering Hidden Patterns and Potentials.
I so appreciate this as a resource, thank you! Step 2 offers such an excllent framework, something I really need in this moment. Also tucking it away as a generative fiction exercise :)
Such a helpful way to break down working with parts or complexes which makes it all feel so much less overwhelming. Your personal example was very helpful to illustrate it (and a bit familiar too, heh).