Archetypes and the unconscious mind

Archetypes and the unconscious mind 

By Jimmy Henderson (Hons BA (phil), MA (psychology) FRC

Archetypes do not have a well-defined content "but from the moment they become conscious, namely nurtured with the stuff of conscious experience."

Carl Jung

The passage to higher levels of consciousness must always pass though our own unconscious, an area of the mind in which forgotten and repressed memories, as well as a collection of personal archetypes are to be found. These archetypes, which can include the 'inner child', 'the hero' and the 'victim',  will take the form of vivid and sometimes even fearsome humanlike figures, as they are personifications of our doubts, fears and other unresolved aspects of personality. However, they all have an essential consciousness (derived from our own), and it is actually possible to communicate with them.

During lucid dreams, meditation or altered states, these archetypes will usually emerge one at a time from the background to present a challenge as to the negative thoughts, emotions and actions which have brought them into being or to the reasons for their neglect. The matter can be managed by facing and communicating with each apparition in turn, attempting a resolution by explaining past actions and motives, accepting any message or lesson they bring, requesting forgiveness and recommitting to a new course of action. In this way, the resolution of personal archetypes is possible and passage to deeper areas of mind becomes possible.

Further along the journey, possibly during later dreams, meditations or semi-trance states, one will most likely be exposed to a series of spontaneously unfolding vistas and scenarios of which the content is also spontaneously generated by the personal unconscious. These scenarios are designed to expose one’s deepest doubts and fears and are a natural initiatory mechanism to protect the fragile human mind and determine whether one possesses the necessary attributes such as courage, fortitude and conviction with which to proceed further.

By applying the power of intention, active control of the unfolding scenes can be assumed and conscious decisions made to face the challenges one at a time. The kind of symbolic initiatory scenarios that can be expected could include having to complete a dangerous climb up a mountain or a passage through a dark cave. One would have little success in progressing with a journey into the depths, power and mystery of one's own Mind if even these initial psychological obstacles cannot be faced and overcome. 

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician and author of a number of books and articles on self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his own website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com