Jung's whole concept of individuation is based on the process of differentiating the opposites within ourselves and integrating them. Generally, we are molded as children to fit the norms of the society, often times going against some of our inborn inclinations. Because those inclinations are not the most valued by society, they are repressed or are never realized and actualized. The problem is that we then begin to see ourselves in terms of the persona, the molded person who meets the expectations of the collective around us. The persona, however, is a mask we show to the world and there is far more to each of us. The way of individuation is a frightening and painful task of letting all of who we are emerge from the dark areas of the unconscious so that we recognize that it is there.
In my last article I spoke of the shadow and the collective unconscious. The individual unconscious is connected to the greater collective unconscious like a bay or inlet is connected in some way to the ocean. What happens on the ocean can affect the water levels in the bay. If masses of people are uniting in blind movement without exploring and working to become conscious of what is going on within themselves, it can be like a tidal wave moving on the ocean creating potential disaster.
Jung became very disturbed in the period of time leading up to World War II with the rise of Nazism because of the mass-minded and the potential for evil that people moving in an unconscious way could bring. Now we know that he was justified in his fears. I see all of this as being very relevant in today's world where we have the growing polarizations and conflicts that involve both political and religious ideologies. To yield oneself to mass movement without recognizing the opposites within is a way of letting the collective take over. The collective unconscious, like the individual unconscious, has the potential for evil as well as good. I believe we are seeing that evil played out in many world events today. Many people seem to feel some kind of safety in following a particular ideology; however to do so unconsciously could be more dangerous that standing alone.
I believe personally, and this is just my opinion, that much of the trouble in the world stems from unacknowledged fear at a subconscious level. Everyone has basic needs. If we feel our access to having our basic needs met is being threatened, it is instinctive to protect ourselves. Without some consciousness of underlying fears, it is easy to get into pack mentality and let our baser instincts take over. And if the culture provides an ideology that reinforces this, it is even easier. Furthermore, because man is by nature, according to Jung, a religious being, it is very easy for religious ideologies to come into the mix. Then the most unholy of actions get justified in the name of religion. For example, consider the Inquisition of the Middle Ages where thousands of people were mercilessly slaughtered as heretics or the crusades a few hundred years earlier where European knights raped, slaughtered, and reveled in the delight at the number of victims they had killed, including women and children.
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