The Archetypes Are Not Ideas, They Are Pieces of Life

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Archetypes are not mere names or philosophical concepts, but pieces of life itself. They are fundamental structures of the psyche that enable us to perceive and respond to universal human experiences. Just as all human beings have common physiological organs, we also possess common psychological structures. These archetypes give us access to dimensions of living that go beyond our individual history. By paying attention to symbolic images, we come into contact with the archetypal and transpersonal depths. However, approaching these symbols intellectually and rationally would miss the point. The true understanding of archetypes requires a complete engagement of our whole person, body, mind, and soul.

In this episode:
We discuss the interpretation of symbols and the importance of engaging them with our full emotional presence.

Let's make this a conversation:
Do you have a comment or question about this episode, or about something you would like me to address in a future episode? Please contact me on Instagram (@digital.jung), Facebook (facebook.com/jungiananalyst), or Twitter (@Jason_E_Smith).

For more on living a symbolic life:
Please check out my book, Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life, available from Chiron Publications.

Sources for quotes and more:

All quotes from 'Man and His Symbols' by C.G. Jung.
Season 2, Episode 11: Growing Beyond Ourselves
The Old Woman in the Woods, Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Season 2, Episode 5: The Nature of Individuation

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Music:
"Dreaming Days," "Slow Vibing," and "The Return" by Ketsa are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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