5.4.1 Individuation

Unconscious aspects of the mind that have not yet been integrated into one’s conscious awareness.

Jung argued that these unrecognized parts of the psyche, such as repressed emotions, hidden fears, and unacknowledged desires, profoundly shape our thoughts and actions. He believed that personal growth, or individuation, involves confronting and integrating these unconscious parts. Without this self-awareness, a person might live reactively, unaware of how unconscious drives shape their lives.

For Jung, the undiscovered self is key to understanding oneself authentically, as people who ignore or deny their unconscious parts are more likely to project their issues onto others. This lack of self-awareness can lead to societal problems like scapegoating, prejudice, and social conflict, as people fail to recognize their inner shadows and instead blame others.