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Some thoughts on life from those who think Jung
© by Mike Keenan 
With an inherited perverse sense of humour, our children last Christmas presented me with a Carl Jung "Action Figure." Inside a see-through plastic container, there was five-inch, grey-haired Carl, glasses on his forehead, wearing a grey suit and blue tie with one of his gem-like quotes affixed up top: "Everything that irritates us about others leads us to an understanding of ourselves."
This quote is easily explained by my spouse, Miriam. I irritate Miriam when I snore at night. I do this constantly and faithfully so she will come to a deeper understanding of herself. When my work is done, I assume that there will be an unconscious message presented to me at night in a dream to stop snoring. In the morning, Miriam will glow with heightened self-awareness, and realize what a profound and positive influence I have been on her vast growth. There will be no need for thanks because we are collectively if not unconsciously in this enterprise together. On the back of the Carl Jung container, there's relevant data printed about the Carl Jung Action Figure. "Occupation: Psychiatrist; Weapon of Choice: Collective Unconsciousness; Interesting Fact: Jung's final words were, 'Let's have a really good red wine tonight.' Born: July 26, 1875, Kesswil, Switzerland; Died: June 6, Kussnacht, Switzerland; Legacy: Carl Jung was one of the most influential psychiatrists in history. His lifelong devotion to the study of the mind resulted in some seminal theories about the human unconscious that he articulated in numerous articles, essays and books on the subject. He is directly responsible for a great number of psychological concepts including The Collective Unconscious, The Complex, The Archetype and Introvert/extrovert.' I am shocked about the red wine. I thought that doctors advocated a little red wine for one's health. Apparently, Carl should have switched to Heineken. There are several additional quotes from Jung. He was such a deep-thinker; I will have to explain each in what is commonly known as lay terms. "The dream is the small hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul, which opens to that primeval cosmic night that was soul long before there was conscious ego and will be soul far beyond what a conscious ego could ever reach." At first, this may seem a trifle complex. It was used repeatedly by Sarah Palin to explain her foreign policy during the election. It means that if you want to understand dreams, you had best purchase a book at Chapter's or Barnes & Noble. "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being." Notice the symbolism? Jung suggests that we keep candles handy for whenever the power goes out. Power company employees are the noblest citizens around. They literally show us the light. "Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health." Modern day athletes translate this into: "No pain; no gain." Clever politicians will say clever things like, "I feel your pain," trying to influence your vote. "You can exert no influence if you are not susceptible to influence." This means listen before you speak. And in most cases, try not to speak. "The greatest and most important problems of life are all fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved but only outgrown." As seniors, this is our only hope. The trick is to hang around long enough until our thinking gets really simple. At this point, we stop worrying about our problems such as what nursing home to choose and let the kids deal with it. |
