Licensed Jungian analyst James Hollis discusses the importance of spiritual maturity and choosing meaning over happiness in a culture that infantilizes its citizens. He explores overcoming fear and lethargy, navigating periods of darkness, and listening to the summons of our deep psyche for personal growth.
Integrating Jungian psychology in personal growth requires embracing symbolism and spirituality.
Facing life's challenges like depression and loss can lead to profound personal growth.
Choosing meaning over happiness is crucial for spiritual maturity and personal development.
Deep dives
Finding Purpose in Midlife
Experiencing a diminishing sense of purpose and satisfaction in his successful life by age 35, Dr. James Hollis began a journey of self-inquiry through therapy and personal reflection. Realizing the need to engage with deeper layers of the psyche, he embraced midlife changes as an opportunity for personal growth and exploration.
Attraction to Jungian Psychology
Dr. James Hollis was drawn to Jungian psychology early on for its appreciation of fine arts, symbolism, and spirituality. Initially engaging with Jungian concepts academically, his fascination deepened as he delved into personal self-exploration and therapy, guided by the unique perspectives and wisdom offered by Jungian psychology.
Shift to Psychological Phase
Dr. James Hollis emphasizes that the second half of life signifies a psychological rather than a chronological milestone. This psychological awakening prompts individuals to question their roles, values, and assumptions, transcending societal expectations and delving into a deeper understanding of personal purpose and authenticity.
Navigating Dark Periods
Embracing the metaphor of 'swamp lands' in life, Dr. James Hollis underscores that every challenging phase carries a hidden task. By confronting issues like depression, loss, and ambiguity, individuals are urged to seek meaning and growth within life's darker moments, fostering resilience, self-discovery, and personal evolution.
Choosing Enlargement and Embracing Ambiguity
Dr. James Hollis encourages individuals to assess life choices from the perspective of enlargement rather than diminishment. Embracing ambiguity and navigating through darker uncertainties can lead to profound insights, courage, and endurance, fostering personal growth, resilience, and an authentic engagement with life's transformative journey.
James Hollis is a licensed Jungian analyst and the author of many books on personal development and the search for meaning. His works include What Matters Most, Why Good People Do Bad Things, and Through the Dark Wood. With Sounds True, he has published Living an Examined Life: Wisdom for the Second Half of the Journey. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with James about what it means to "grow up" in a contemporary society that infantilizes its citizens. They talk about how to recognize the summons of our deep psyche and the steps we must take in order to answer it. James explains that the greatest obstacles to attaining spiritual maturity are fear and lethargy, and describes the inevitable periods of darkness that we will encounter along the way. Finally, James and Tami discuss why it's important to our development that we choose meaning over happiness. (67 minutes)
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