35: Minding The Self. A conversation with Murray Stein.
Jan 23, 2019
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Dr. Murray Stein discusses initiation, directed vs. nondirected thinking, and the tension of opposites. He highlights the emergence of images beyond conscious control and the disconnect from the immaterial due to the growth of rational thinking. The conversation explores the impact of blending rational and imaginative thinking, the symbolic aspect of religion in Protestantism, and the transformative power of symbolic experiences.
Directed thinking aids in logical navigation, while imaginal thinking sparks innovative breakthroughs bridging visible and invisible worlds.
Initiation into the spirit of the depths parallels individuation journeys, beckoning individuals to explore hidden realms of the unconscious.
Deep dives
Understanding the Subjectivity vs. Objectivity Dynamic
Subjectivity, attributed to the ego and ego consciousness, reflects personal thoughts and opinions, while the objective psyche involves experiences perceived outside the self. Jung viewed archetypes not as subjective elements but as conditioning subjectivity with external influences like culture. This dual nature allows individuals to delve inward through subjectivity to encounter objective phenomena such as archetypes.
Journey into the Spirit of the Depths and Individuation
Jung's initiation into the spirit of the depths presented an exploration into the hidden realms of the unconscious, akin to an individuation journey. This call to follow the depths parallels experiences in Jungian analysis where individuals are beckoned to explore dreams and active imagination, delving into a personal spiritual odyssey less connected to collective institutions.
The Significance of Imaginal and Rational Thinking
Jung distinguished between directed, logical thinking and imaginal, intuitive thought, demonstrating their complementary roles. Directed thinking navigates causation and logic, crucial for predictability. In contrast, imaginal thinking, while distinct, complements rationality, often leading to innovative breakthroughs bridging the visible and invisible worlds.
Navigating Institutional Dynamics and the Tension of Opposites
Institutional structures, be it religious or analytical psychology organizations, mirror familial dynamics marked by conflicting egos, projections, and neuroses. Despite personal clashes, the common ground on the vision of human complexity, as proposed by Jung, binds individuals in a collective pursuit of individuation. Embracing the tension of spiritual-material dualities fosters creative solutions and individual growth, balancing the innate spiritual and physical aspects of human existence.
We begin our conversation with Dr. Stein explaining initiation and “The Spirit of the Depths,” as the dance between reason and the inevitable call that each of us hears from our soul – that unique part of us that is outside of culture. Dr. Stein differentiates between directed thinking and nondirected thinking – causality-based, rational thinking and the spontaneous emergence of images that seem to come from beyond our conscious control. The former helps each of us “get from A to B,” while the latter operates with imagination as the presenter of the subjective content. He locates the consequence of the growth of rational thinking, as pushing out the relationship we each have with the symbol and the imagination. Noting that this produced a materially dominant culture, although the sacrifice is our disconnection from the immaterial. We conclude by discussing the tension of opposites.
Bio:
Dr. Stein is a graduate of Yale University (B.A. and M.Div.), the University of Chicago (Ph.D.), and the C.G. Jung Institut-Zurich (Diploma). He is a founding member of the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts and of the Chicago Society of Jungian Analysts. He has been the president of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (2001-4), and the President of The International School of Analytical Psychology-Zurich (2008-2012).
http://murraystein.com
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