That was the term Carl Jung used, apparently, to describe
the process of looking beyond the received norms of the culture and making up our
own minds about things. He defined those seeking individuation as:
‘Those who have learned the art of averting their eyes from
the blinding light of current opinion and closed their ears to the noise of
ephemeral slogans in order to listen to our inner wisdom.’
Sounds about right. Politicians, educationalists and
advertisers (among others) might take note.
4 comments:
You know the old song... "You're so Vain... you probably think this song is about you..."
Am i being vain in thinking that my lengthy comment on my blog may have even in the smallest of ways influenced you to make this post?
What is so wrong with self-labeling? I'm just speaking vaguely here but i'm alluding to my post and our comments about it.
Mine was more about coming to terms with something, or not really terms but accepting something about myself that i wanted but at the same time tried to reject for something else. Probably because i feared failing at what is most important to and about myself, out side of now being a mother, that is.
You have me at a bit of a loss, Andrea. Firstly, this post was in no way influenced by your lengthy comment. I'd seen Helen that day and she'd been reading up on Jung (she's starting a degree course in September which includes psychology.) She'd given me the quotation because it matched the fact that we both have great difficulty relating to the received axioms and mores of this culture.
Secondly, the point that I (and Jung) was making had nothing to do with self-labelling. You could, for example, spend your time fighting against the culture and label yourself 'a subversive.'
The whole point of the post was, I suppose, to say 'I want to examine and question how we live and make up my own mind, rather than seeing things as I've been brought up to see them and am expected to continue seeing them.'
Can I say that I intend no criticism of you if you want to label yourself. That's your business. I've given up labels now because I think it's a point you come to when you go deeply into the question 'who am I?' Bear in mind that I'm a lot older than you, and part of my view on these matters comes from seeing things retrospectively. I freely admit that it would have been damn difficult going through life without any labels.
The fact that you think so much about these things sets you a bit apart, I would suggest, and that's partly what I like and respect about you.
So quit yelling at me! And say 'hello' to the squish for me.
Well, i'd mentioned Joseph Campbell and what he says, (which would be Jungian), about our 'roles' and how people are seen as such... blah blah and i can see how this post could relate, in a small way, to what i/we were 'talking' about.
I'll stop now :)
:) :) :)
Bloody Scorpios!
The Scorpios from Tennessee
Have stings for all the world to see.
You got a ditty out of me!
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