“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.” This quotation by author Madeleine L’Engle reminds me of the parallels between spirituality and many aspects of Jungian theory. I believe the Creator “calls us” in many ways, including through promptings from the Self, which is Carl Jung’s term for the center of the total personality that encompasses the unconscious as well as consciousness.
When we receive messages from the Self, and therefore from the Creator, the purpose of the messages is to guide us. The promptings of the Self come to us in many ways, including through dreams, synchronicities, spontaneous thoughts, and significant life experiences. I have been given direction in all of these ways many times over the years. I admit that I don’t always perceive the message right away. And there have been times when, because I’ve lacked courage, I hoped the message didn’t mean what I thought it might mean. When this has happened, one or more dreams and/or synchronicities have occurred to present the message again, telling me it’s time to embrace and act on the direction given to me.
When we recognize their significance and try to follow the promptings of the Self, we are guided toward becoming persons who are “more” than we were before. Not only do we become braver, we also become more empathic, more generous, and more genuine.