Through a Jungian Lens

This little fellow was kind enough to sit for a number of different photos while I was out with the camera on one of my “railroad” photo excursions.  I like how it shows an almost human attitude, almost one of humility and deference.  Of course, to say that it acts or thinks human is a stretch.  To believe it would just be projecting something of one’s self onto the little bird.

I sort of feel a  bit more humble and connected after spending five days with all of my grandchildren and their parents in our home.  As of this afternoon, all have headed off to their various homes in different parts of North America.  I will get to see all of them again in their individual family units before I head back to China.  But for now, the house is again quiet and I will return to a more active and deeper presence here knowing that in doing so I am actually giving them something special, a digital record for them about who their father and grandfather is.  My children read this blog site and occasionally post comments and I am thankful for that.  It helps keep me honest, helps keep me humble.

It is too easy to get “full of oneself” to become inflated with one’s importance.  It is even worse to become convinced that what one taps into in the work of individuation, association with the gods and goddesses (or archetypes) can lead one to identify with one of these figures and in the process lose the self.  This is the route of gurus, of self-proclaimed prophets or shamans.  Jung wrote about the dangers of a mana complex or a messiah complex and leaves little room for these gurus as authentic figures.  Unlike this little bird, I won’t bow to any authority that demands obeisance.  I can only offer a smile and look that acknowledges others as being a “thou” to my “I.”