Written by: Dragana Favre, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In the heart of psychotherapy, where patients embark on a quest to mend their suffering and find the path to better health, a peculiar phenomenon often unfolds. As they traverse the labyrinth of their own consciousness, patients, just like visitors to the Trevi Fountain in Rome, express a hidden wish, a dream they've clutched closely to their hearts: "I want to be happy." The therapist, at least a Jungian therapist, has a ready answer: "We are not here to make you happy; we are building a relationship through which you can find your way to be complete, whole, the individuated you."
It's a simple phrase to utter, but defining the elusive essence of wholeness is an intricate journey. It is about translating an abstract construct into a tangible, incarnated future for 'Us.' The concept of completeness, in its idyllic form, appears like a trusting child living under the shelter of healthy adult parents. Yet, the reality is more complex; the ultimate realization of happiness often remains elusive until we grow into those wise and healthy adult figures ourselves.
The paradox emerges: we'll find it when we allow ourselves to be guided, not only by our inner compass but also by the profound wisdom residing within all aspects of our psyche—conscious and unconscious. It forms a loop, but when the temporal component is removed, we discern a simple agreement. We are simultaneously the guided and the guide, contributing unique qualities and roles to this profound journey.
Yet, the most compelling hypothesis arises: inner growth may not reside in the specific destinations we tirelessly seek or in the achievement of future self-accomplishment. Instead, it may lie in an ongoing voyage of discovery, surrender, and the embrace of inner congruency, where all parts of our being harmoniously align. It's not about following a fixed direction but about creating the necessary conditions for the possibility of choosing a direction. To become whole, one must cultivate the capacity for wholeness.
Jungian psychology shines a brilliant light on the path to congruency. It emphasizes the significance of individuation, the process of becoming one's true self, and unlocking unique potential. At its core, congruency in the psyche is about achieving alignment and harmony between different aspects of the self. It involves an intricate dance between the conscious and unconscious elements, contributing to a profound sense of inner balance, integration, and psychological health. Achieving congruency within this complex framework is an awe-inspiring journey.
However, there's a poignant twist in this narrative: Jungian psychology underscores the importance of recognizing and integrating all aspects of the psyche. This journey entails the exploration and acceptance of both the light and the shadow within us—the positive and negative emotions, experiences, and behaviors.
Up to this point, it is quite logical. We are striving to become whole. Being whole means accepting all parts of oneself and surrendering to the temporal limits in which our consciousness is incarnated.
But there are a few questions: does it mean that we are seeking some kind of neutrality? Are we losing our specificities while becoming all because this whole is the same as the whole of others? Are we trying to become clones? Can we be different from others if we reach that utopic wholeness? And more down-to-earth, and to the now moment: can an amoral person (in the general sense) be happy if aligned with themselves? Can a mean person reach their harmony, even if antisocial, just if all their inner parts are aligned on the path toward evil (metaphorically, more or less)? Maybe yes, and maybe that's bothersome. Sometimes we witness situations that provoke feelings of a lack of justice. Some horrible acts go unpunished while some hard investments of time and effort don't get rewarded. Before jumping to conclusions, maybe it is fair to check what is within us. Is there any inner conflict and is there some unspoken or unthinkable ambivalence? Did our shadow part have a chance to explain its point of view? The 13th fairy is very powerful when she is not invited to the princess's birthday party. Let's try to give open access of Us to Us, and maybe when all the fairies, all aspects of self, find their common language and agree upon the first of many possible directions to take, well, maybe then congruence will make us differently strive for wholeness.
Dragana Favre, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Dragana Favre is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and a seeker of the human psyche's mysteries. With a medical degree and extensive neuroscience education from prestigious institutions like the Max Planck Institute and Instituto de Neurociencias, she's a seasoned expert. Her unique approach combines Jungian psychotherapy, EMDR, and dream interpretation, guiding patients towards self-discovery and healing. Beyond her profession, Dr. Favre is passionate about science fiction, nature, and cosmology. Her ex-Yugoslavian roots in the small town of Kikinda offer a rich backdrop to her life's journey. She is dedicated to helping people find their true selves, much like an alchemist turning lead into gold.
