I have been reading Jung The Four Archetypes, which you suggested and it’s great. As always I tend to think in terms of historical context. Jung wrote on these archetypes well before DNA was discovered as you mention in your article, so I wondered if he attributes anything of the human psyche to “genetics” and he does but interestingly he refers to the “pre conscious psychic predisposition” of a child to “hereditary and is already present in the germ-plasm”. (P. 11) I imagine what he called “germ-plasm” we now know as DNA. But interestingly, along the lines of epigenetics, Jung proposed that the psychic predisposition is truly determined when it becomes conscious and “therefore filled out with the material of conscious experience”. (p. 12) Genetics does not necessarily determine our consciousness nor our conscious experience. I believe if Jung were alive today he would have definitely done more research using epigenetics for his psychologicical theories and methods. After all, Jung argues that “everything depends on the development of consciousness”, which is “liberation from imprisonment in ‘unconsciousness’ and therefore a bringer of light as well as of healing”. (p. 179) And that is the goal; light & healing. Which begs the question; can any human ever be totally “healed” and in the light? If not, why not? Are there outside forces who want humans to be “unconscious”? If healed then are they then totally free & in bliss? I think it’s absolutely possible to be healed, in the light and free. Thank you for suggesting such a great book!
I completely agree with your theory that archetypes, personality and much of our psyche is in fact inherited from birth, and is caused by genetics. I thought the same thought as when he talked about the 'germ-plasm; if he knew as much about DNA as we do now, I'm sure he would have meant that. And, I believe, if inherited psyche phenomena (i.e. the archetypes) was to be localised, it would be in DNA.
Love how you bring up epigenetic ('epi' – above), referring to environmental, life-long factors effecting DNA. I've been reading some Joe Dispenzer, recently, and he makes a very good argument for the adaptability of genes; and how our environment and thoughts affect what genes are expressed.
Ultimately, I believe Jung is right in the way that the foundations of our pscyhe's are predetermined. But I don't take that to mean that in any way you can't change and grow.
Though things are determined for you, those things are within the plans of God.
You should aim to be healed, and enter the light, but I think I lot of the darkness in life is there to guide you to the light. Like how it's the tension between electrodes in a battery that creates electricity; it's the tension between good and evil that gives us the energy to grow.
Well said. :) Something I’ve been thinking about is can we ever be fully healed and fully in the Light? I believe we can. I feel we can still grow without that tension but yes I agree with you that tension between Goodness & Evil can help us grow or not as a result if choices we make. I see so much on YT, etc about “healing” and I just thought yes we can be fully healed and not need those “healing affirmations”, etc. And what needs healing? I know for me it was a lot of childhood neglect and then later choices I made which took me down a dark path of abuse and then near death from cancer and the treatment. I did not want to come back but thought of my responsibilities then I was back in my body gasping for a breath of air. In spite of everything, I always tried to find the Good and be in the Light. I feel I’m healed and am more in the Light than I’ve ever been as an adult (young children are pure innocence) and my consciousness reflects that, though growth is almost eternal because no one can have the ultimate consciousness of Almighty God. And speaking of the innocence of young children, I do not believe we all have light and dark sides. Some are all dark. Some are all light. This concept that we all have a dark side as if it’s permanent and in born is not true. Otherwise young children would be born with it and they are not. This means since most of us do have a dark side that can be healed and transmuted then we are capable of being fully in the Light. So, this begs the question as to how we acquire the “dark side” as if it’s some sort of parasite? I feel it is a parasitical force imposed on many that can be eradicated. Just something I was thinking about. Thank you for your insights. :)
Wonderful! Thank you for the reminder.
I have been reading Jung The Four Archetypes, which you suggested and it’s great. As always I tend to think in terms of historical context. Jung wrote on these archetypes well before DNA was discovered as you mention in your article, so I wondered if he attributes anything of the human psyche to “genetics” and he does but interestingly he refers to the “pre conscious psychic predisposition” of a child to “hereditary and is already present in the germ-plasm”. (P. 11) I imagine what he called “germ-plasm” we now know as DNA. But interestingly, along the lines of epigenetics, Jung proposed that the psychic predisposition is truly determined when it becomes conscious and “therefore filled out with the material of conscious experience”. (p. 12) Genetics does not necessarily determine our consciousness nor our conscious experience. I believe if Jung were alive today he would have definitely done more research using epigenetics for his psychologicical theories and methods. After all, Jung argues that “everything depends on the development of consciousness”, which is “liberation from imprisonment in ‘unconsciousness’ and therefore a bringer of light as well as of healing”. (p. 179) And that is the goal; light & healing. Which begs the question; can any human ever be totally “healed” and in the light? If not, why not? Are there outside forces who want humans to be “unconscious”? If healed then are they then totally free & in bliss? I think it’s absolutely possible to be healed, in the light and free. Thank you for suggesting such a great book!
Hey Maggie, thanks so much.
I completely agree with your theory that archetypes, personality and much of our psyche is in fact inherited from birth, and is caused by genetics. I thought the same thought as when he talked about the 'germ-plasm; if he knew as much about DNA as we do now, I'm sure he would have meant that. And, I believe, if inherited psyche phenomena (i.e. the archetypes) was to be localised, it would be in DNA.
Love how you bring up epigenetic ('epi' – above), referring to environmental, life-long factors effecting DNA. I've been reading some Joe Dispenzer, recently, and he makes a very good argument for the adaptability of genes; and how our environment and thoughts affect what genes are expressed.
Ultimately, I believe Jung is right in the way that the foundations of our pscyhe's are predetermined. But I don't take that to mean that in any way you can't change and grow.
Though things are determined for you, those things are within the plans of God.
You should aim to be healed, and enter the light, but I think I lot of the darkness in life is there to guide you to the light. Like how it's the tension between electrodes in a battery that creates electricity; it's the tension between good and evil that gives us the energy to grow.
Well said. :) Something I’ve been thinking about is can we ever be fully healed and fully in the Light? I believe we can. I feel we can still grow without that tension but yes I agree with you that tension between Goodness & Evil can help us grow or not as a result if choices we make. I see so much on YT, etc about “healing” and I just thought yes we can be fully healed and not need those “healing affirmations”, etc. And what needs healing? I know for me it was a lot of childhood neglect and then later choices I made which took me down a dark path of abuse and then near death from cancer and the treatment. I did not want to come back but thought of my responsibilities then I was back in my body gasping for a breath of air. In spite of everything, I always tried to find the Good and be in the Light. I feel I’m healed and am more in the Light than I’ve ever been as an adult (young children are pure innocence) and my consciousness reflects that, though growth is almost eternal because no one can have the ultimate consciousness of Almighty God. And speaking of the innocence of young children, I do not believe we all have light and dark sides. Some are all dark. Some are all light. This concept that we all have a dark side as if it’s permanent and in born is not true. Otherwise young children would be born with it and they are not. This means since most of us do have a dark side that can be healed and transmuted then we are capable of being fully in the Light. So, this begs the question as to how we acquire the “dark side” as if it’s some sort of parasite? I feel it is a parasitical force imposed on many that can be eradicated. Just something I was thinking about. Thank you for your insights. :)