“We have to at some level ask the question: ‘What is psyche asking of me?’ And try to live that as best we can. And that makes a huge difference in our lives and becomes part of the legacy we pass on to our children and to our families and to our fellow citizens.”
This quote is by James Hollis, a Jungian analyst, author, teacher, and speaker. I have read several of Dr. Hollis’ books and highly recommend them to you. Some of his books are A Life of Meaning, Living an Examined Life, and What Matters Most.
In order to grow in consciousness, we need to try to discern the messages and guidance of our psyches. The psyche is the totality of the unconscious and the conscious. In my posts, I often refer to the psyche as our inner voice. However we refer to it, what matters is that the purpose of its guidance is to help us to become more thoughtful, courageous, empathic, and persevering individuals. And then to use those qualities to contribute in positive ways to our world.
It’s essential to remember that growing in consciousness and as a result becoming more the persons we were created to be is not just for ourselves. It is to help others, either directly or indirectly, in whatever ways our life path leads us to do. Hollis refers to this truth when he says doing so will become part of the legacy we pass on to others.
According to Jungian theory, we discern what our psyches are asking of us by paying attention to our dreams, noticing intuitive promptings and synchronicities, trying to be aware of when projection might have occurred and to learn about ourselves from it, contemplating possible meanings of unexpected happenings, and in other ways.
Many of the quotes that resonate with me and therefore that I have chosen to write about in my blog include the word “try.” It is so important to our personal growth and becoming more conscious individuals that we remember it is by trying that we make progress. The word “try” also implies that things might not always work out in the way we expect or hope—that we will sometimes make mistakes. But if we expect that everything we endeavor to do will be successful, we are not being realistic, for that’s not how life is. And if we stop trying because something didn’t work out as we expected or hoped it would, then no change will happen. That is far worse than making mistakes from time to time.
Since I first learned about Jungian concepts and approaches many years ago when I sought out a therapist for help with some difficulties I was experiencing, I have tried to grow in consciousness. I have made mistakes and at times I have been resistant to following guidance I discerned. Thankfully, our psyches remind us when we are on the wrong path to help us get back on track, to give us more chances.
Doing inner work has led to my having a meaningful and purposeful life, which is a gift of great value. The other motivation for my making the effort to do inner work is my believing, as Hollis says, that it has a positive effect on others, including our children and other loved ones. By doing what we can to try to do what our psyches are asking of us, we make a huge difference, to use Hollis’ words, in our own lives and in the lives of others.