Mile Markers

Carl Jung was a famous psychologist that worked directly with the famous Sigmund Freud. Although a student of Freud, due to differences in the way they perceived human psychology, they went their separate ways. Although there were similarities between the way they perceived how the human mind and psyche affected people, it is from the work of Carl Jung that we have been able to learn about symbols and archetypes. Jungs work led him to discover more than traditional psychology such as spiritual and esoteric subjects such as deeper meanings in dream analyses, astrology, I Ching, and of course symbols. Let's look at the work of Carl Jung, what symbols and archetypes are, and how all of this relates to what he calls the collective unconscious.

Origins Of Carl Jung

Carl Jung was a psychologist that began to realize that the human mind, also called the psyche, was divided up into three separate layers. This included the ego, what he referred to as the personal unconscious, and then there is the collective unconscious from which symbols and archetypes originate. The ego is simply representative of the personality that you have. It is the collective representation of your emotions, thoughts and memories. It allows you to have this feeling of identity that we all have individually, allowing us to have continuity in our daily lives. The second part of the human mind was called the personal unconscious. This may include repressed memories and forgotten information. It is within the personal unconscious that we all have what are called complexes. These are represented by single concepts which have been formed in our mind based upon our experiences, feelings, thoughts, attitudes and the memories that we have retained. Complexes that are extremely diverse are the ones that affect us the most in our lives. It lies right beneath the surface of the way that we conduct ourselves. It actually provides the habitual activities of our ego or personality, acting in the background like subroutines on a computer. The third layer of the human mind is called the collective unconscious. This is representative of all of the complexes that have been formed throughout history. Jung believed that we were all interconnected in mind, and that we could also draw upon symbols and archetypes within the collective unconscious.

Symbols And Archetypes In The Collective Unconsciousness

This was actually not a new idea. The philosopher Plato actually referred to the collective unconscious, and the symbols and archetypes within it, as the eternal Realm of Forms. Jung believed that all cultures shared similar archetypes, and had a great influence on all of humanity. They essentially formed the basis from which all thoughts and choices were made, and also in the development of different cultures. Archetypes were broken down into many different types, but he focused primarily on for which were called the Persona, Animus, Shadow and the Self. The Persona could be likened to how a person is acting on stage. It is that representation of yourself that you show others in certain situations. Animus referred to sexuality, specifically how both males and females share characteristics of both masculine and feminine tendencies. The Shadow is what he referred to as the animal or survival side of our personality. Finally, the Self is representative of who we really are, and our goal is to self-actualize, a concept that is most famously represented by Abraham Maslow, or what Carlos Castaneda referred to as the path of heart.

By understanding that your mind is representative of multiple layers, and that the collective unconscious has symbols and archetypes, we can begin to understand how we have developed in our own lives. It is akin to computers that are connected via the cloud, sharing information all over the world, and sometimes we inadvertently access this information which can play a significant role in the course of our lives. Carl Jung was a philosopher and psychologist, an individual that truly did understand how the human psyche operated. By using this information, it is possible for people to better understand how they have arrived at the current place they are in their lives, and how they can self-actualize into the person they truly want to become.

While there is a huge debate about fate vs free will, you can definitely still acknowledge how what you do affects your future. Whether you have a predestined path or a mix of that and free will, you still need the right mindset. It might be provided to you at times by a higher power, maybe karma from a past life or other factors. At the same time, we are to have the right mindset to go about our days.

Astrology has an interesting discussion of fate versus free will. Astrologers will say that it is a combination of both. That in your astrology chart there are fated things that will happen, and then there are times when the influence of the planets require a decision to be made to go in one direction or seek other choices for a different way.

However without the right mindset, we are turning away from what we are supposed to be doing. Let's imagine that you're working hard at your job, and everything starts to go wrong. You feel like walking out, and you have a decision to make. Do you walk out, or do you stay? There are so many decisions that people make that affect their future. Think about the decisions you make daily with all kinds of relationships. Think about the people that come and go out of your life.

There are so many different factors that influence your life, and there are so many things that you allow to influence your decisions. Some of the smaller decisions may seem very insignificant, but those decisions and their outcomes can build up and also lead you in all kinds of directions. Forget decisions for a minute and just imagine the difference between thinking positively or negatively. What if you were always paranoid, always a perfectionist, always thinking from a negative standpoint?

If you thought like this all the time, there is no way you would get much done. You have to be thinking positive, and you can't let what happens wreck your day. You can't let what other people think about you bother you to the point of insanity. In all seriousness, you have to maintain a positive image, stay true to yourself and think positively about working towards your goals. That may sound like a self help speech, but it's just the truth.

Think about how you are in control of your attitude. For sure, many different kinds of things can happen, some of them being harder to deal with than others. Still, you control your attitude and how you deal with everything, and that has everything to do with what happens to you as you keep going. Your mindset helps make your decisions for you, and so make sure that you are headed in the right direction.

If our world were perfect, the two words would walk hand in hand. If you were religious, you would be default, be spiritual. However, the world isn't perfect, in fact, it's far from perfect.

Today, the term religious stands for those who are attending church on a fairly regular basis. These people are searching for a way to heave and a way to make a difference, however, they often get caught up in the rat race of rules that require them to do things in a specific fashion.

On the other hand, those who are spiritual consider themselves to be good people as well. They don't however, attend church on a regular basis like those who are religious do.

Is one group more important than the other? Is one group right and one group wrong? The truth is, no. Plain and simple. Both groups have valuable insight to share with one another. They are going about their lives differently yet they are seeking the same goals.

Those in churches are hoping to help the poor and the homeless. Those who are spiritual are hoping to help them as well. So what is different? Those who are religious are seeking to do it under the covering of a denomination or church. Those who are spiritaul are seeking to do it with other groups and friends in an effort to work and live amongst the poor and needy.

Is one group more correct? Likely not. They are both correct in recognizing the need for help. they are both correct in recognizing that there is a need at all. However, they are going about the solution differently. Either group has good ideas to learn more from each other.

When Jesus walked on this earth, he walked and lived amongst some of the most needy on this earth. He hung out with those who weren't leading stellar lives. He showed no fear only compassion.

Many in churches are afraid to help for fear of being drug down themselves. Those who are spiritual aren't letting that concern drive them, in fact, they are going a step further and living amongst those who are in need in an effort to help releive poverty and homelessness.

It's important to remember that there is a separation of church and state yet there is a concern for those who are in need. Many states are doing little to combat poverty and homelessness, spiritual people are seeking to reduce the incidence of poverty and homelessness by working together to find a solution.

When it comes to religions, many are made up of so many different layers that it can be difficult for a person to agree with every single aspect involved. Some people actually lean more "spiritual" than strictly religious anyway since they tend to adopt their own definitions of what their personal relationship with a particular religion is. Religion is also something of a hot button issue, much like politics, where people are easily offended once it's brought up. These are just a few of the central reasons why someone might opt to "be spiritual" rather than practice any religion in particular.

These days, information travels at the speed of light; you can go to a thousand websites and get a thousand different viewpoints. It's now easier than ever to investigate a whole world of knowledge and hear a lot of different takes on morality and how people should live their lives. You can explore different cultures and survey opposing views quite readily now. Now more than ever, people are being exposed to a lot of different viewpoints on religion, making it harder for them to know what to believe. It seemed the norm not that many years ago was to simply adopt whatever religion your parents or family may have, but it's gradually slipping more into a matter of personal choice.

Since it's become so difficult to see why one particular religion is "right" over all of the others, the option to merely believe in something greater out there - even if it isn't specific or defined - sometimes feels like the safer bet. It's easier to simply remain open to spirituality without committing to one particular ideal. After all, most people can barely even decide what they want for dinner on a given night, much less take a stance on all the big whys and hows of the universe.

While many people are adamant that their religious views are the ones that are right and that it's essentially their way or none at all, those kind of views are still ultimately personal. Religion is a touchy subject and something that's very difficult to wrap your brain around at times. It makes sense to merely be open to finding out more somewhere down the line rather than putting your foot down to say you really have all the answers. Either course is fine, but ultimately, choosing what to believe in is a very insular matter, and opting into a more vague or personally defined sense of spirituality is just as valid as anything else.

When it comes to religions, many are made up of so many different layers that it can be difficult for a person to agree with every single aspect involved. Some people actually lean more "spiritual" than strictly religious anyway since they tend to adopt their own definitions of what their personal relationship with a particular religion is. Religion is also something of a hot button issue, much like politics, where people are easily offended once it's brought up. These are just a few of the central reasons why someone might opt to "be spiritual" rather than practice any religion in particular.

These days, information travels at the speed of light; you can go to a thousand websites and get a thousand different viewpoints. It's now easier than ever to investigate a whole world of knowledge and hear a lot of different takes on morality and how people should live their lives. You can explore different cultures and survey opposing views quite readily now. Now more than ever, people are being exposed to a lot of different viewpoints on religion, making it harder for them to know what to believe. It seemed the norm not that many years ago was to simply adopt whatever religion your parents or family may have, but it's gradually slipping more into a matter of personal choice.

Since it's become so difficult to see why one particular religion is "right" over all of the others, the option to merely believe in something greater out there - even if it isn't specific or defined - sometimes feels like the safer bet. It's easier to simply remain open to spirituality without committing to one particular ideal. After all, most people can barely even decide what they want for dinner on a given night, much less take a stance on all the big whys and hows of the universe.

While many people are adamant that their religious views are the ones that are right and that it's essentially their way or none at all, those kind of views are still ultimately personal. Religion is a touchy subject and something that's very difficult to wrap your brain around at times. It makes sense to merely be open to finding out more somewhere down the line rather than putting your foot down to say you really have all the answers. Either course is fine, but ultimately, choosing what to believe in is a very insular matter, and opting into a more vague or personally defined sense of spirituality is just as valid as anything else.

Are you interested in divine science? Would you like to take a closer look at ancient wisdom? If you have an interest in this subject, you should take a closer look here at the Blavatsky theosophical society. This society can be a wonderful source of ageless wisdom .

If you want to learn what this society can teach you, keep reading. Soon, you'll know all about the education that this society can provide:

You'll Learn From Ancient Documents

This society takes advantage of all kinds of documents that are available. They don't just look at recent writings; they look at documents from the distant past.

Too many people rule out the wisdom of the people that lived long ago. Ancient societies didn't have the resources we do today, which means that they developed a number of strategies and philosophies that helped them to get ahead in life. There is a great deal that can be learned from their wisdom.

If you join a society like this one, you will have access to documents that you would never have been able to read otherwise.

You'll Learn From The Most Respected Scholars Of The Past

These societies don't just look at any documents. They look at documents that were penned by some of the most respected scholars, scientists, and researchers throughout history.

When you join a society like this, you will have access to all kinds of knowledge. You will be able to learn from some of the most intelligent people that have ever walked the earth.

If you are going to be following someone's teachings, you will want to seek out the teachings of someone that is very smart. If you join a society like this one, then you will always be learning from great minds. As you spend more time with the society, you will see your own mind start to grow.

You'll Have The Chance To Learn From Real People

While you will spend a lot of time learning from ancient wisdom, that isn't the only way you will learn. You will also have the chance to learn from people that are a member of this society right now.

You'll be able to talk to people about wisdom that has survived through the ages. You will be able to discuss the documents and texts you have read with people that are as passionate about learning as you are. It will be tremendously beneficial.

Do you want financial success or better relationships? If you want to improve any area of your life, one of the major challenges you will face is changing your beliefs and habits so that they support your desires. This means you will meet resistance in your mind that can stop you from taking the action required to make your dreams a reality. An effective way to overcome this is through creative visualization. Lets take a look at how visualization can change any area of your life.

The aim is basically to tap into your subconscious mind as this is where any deep rooted limiting beliefs are formed. For some the deep rooted limiting beliefs are so hidden they consult a therapist that to uncover the beliefs holding them back. Another way is to consult an astrologer who will analyze the astrology chart which holds a key to the unconscious and limiting beliefs. Most people consider astrology a short cut to find out where and how the limiting beliefs are getting in the way of what they want.

Creative visualization is practiced by putting yourself into a relaxed state through deep breathing and closing your eyes. Once you are in a calm and peaceful state, you can start to use your imagination to picture the life you want for yourself in as vivid detail as possible. It is thought that the subconscious mind cannot distinguish between a real and an imagined experience, so you will begin to embed new beliefs.

If you want the most effective results possible, you need to visualize exactly what you want and match this with strong emotions. The picture in your mind should be as clear as possible and you can then imagine how you would feel if this was truly happening in your life. For instance, if you want financial success, put an exact figure on the balance in your bank account. In addition, you can see the rewards such as the car you will driving and living in your dream home.

An important step in making sure creative visualization works for you is consistent action. The way to change your beliefs is through repetition and visualizing everyday will begin to change the way you act in certain circumstances and you will start to open doors to new opportunities. The blocks that used to exist in your mind will disappear and you will start to attract the right people into your life whether it be because you have been visualizing to improve your career or your love life.

Once your desires are aligned with your beliefs and daily actions, this is when you will see your imagined life become a reality. Creative visualization is a powerful technique that can help you to achieve this, so that you can enjoy greater success and better relationships.

In our busy lifestyle, there are many healthy ways to keep yourself calm and center. One way is to cultivate a spiritual life. A spiritual life can be based on religion, but it can also be more of a holistic phenomenon, incorporating everything we do. What are some practices we can do to contribute to a spiritual life?

Meditation

One practice that we can do on a daily basis is meditation. This is the process of transforming the mind. Typically it is done while sitting in a quiet place with your eyes close. It is normal for your mind to race, but in the practice of meditation, you work consciously to empty your thoughts while focusing on your breath. It is an effective way to calm your nerves and reduce your anxiety. Daily meditation practices, for even as little as 10 to 15 minutes, are recommended, especially for people with busy lifestyles.

Inner Quest

Your journey to understand yourself more can be found on many paths. Dreams are one way to determine what your subconscious is mulling about. A more traditional approach is with a psychoanalyst to explore your past and if your interpretations about what happened are real Astrology is another short cut to understand the duality that lives within each person. Lectures, books and workshops that you are drawn towards also contribute to your inner quest.

Conscious Reactions

Another practice that leads to a more spiritual life is the practice of consciously reacting to circumstances with a practiced and reasonable approach rather than overreacting. For example, if something is angering you, you have a choice of how you will react to that stimulus. If a person is screaming at you, for example, you may choose to walk away until the person calms down. This approach cultivates your spiritual center and prevents you from increased stress.

Daily Inspiration

Still, another way to cultivate your spiritual life is with daily inspirational quotes. There are many quotes available, often by famous people who have inspired people for generations, which are good to read on a regular basis. Inspiration quotes help us to understand the world, how we fit into it, and that we are no different than the people we meet. They encourage us and stimulate our activity. Reading inspirational quotes keeps us calm and nurtures our spiritual center.

Healthy Eating

One way that some people don't realize contributes to a spiritual life is the focus on healthy eating. Eating healthy food is good for the body and therefore good for the soul. Unhealthy food can cause physical disturbances that can make us feel poorly and ultimately cause us stress. But healthy eating keeps us feeling good and centered and contributes to our spiritual lifestyle.

These are just some tips that we can do to contribute to a spiritual way of life. Many more tips are available to those who want to practice a spiritual life.

When my spirituality awakened my authentic self, I was really happy with the results. Now I have something to live for and I feel like I have something guiding me. Life now is much better, easier, and happier for me overall.

I was never a spiritual person most of my life. As a younger person I thought I knew everything and that the religions of the world were all put together just to help people not be scared of death. However, as I really started to pay attention to what was going on around me, I noticed that things seemed to be happening that didn't make a lot of sense. I would get help with a bill at the last minute, or my kid wouldn't be sick a day after having health problems. It seemed like there was some kind of truth to there being a God or at least a universe that had souls in it.

The world can be explained through science, but that doesn't mean that stuff is the full truth about everything. Sure you can learn what is made of what, but you can't really learn how everything came to be. There are ideas that dont seem possible to be real Astrology is one of those odd ancient sciences that cant be explain yet have tremendous validity and spiritual understandings. Theories exist that talk about how things came to be and that's just what they are, theories. I find that there are many things that just don't make sense and I now don't try to work on making sense of them since I've become more spiritual.

When I started to practice being a better person through working with my spirituality, it really started to change my life. People that I never knew were the same way wanted to spend time with me and the universe seemed to be providing a lot more in the way of positive events for me. It was eye-opening a lot of the time and I'm really happy that I went through and got the help I needed to pay more attention to the way of the world. I'm happy to report that it's not hard to do you just have to let go and not try to understand it.

After my spirituality awakened my authentic self, I really started to change. There are quite a few people out there that I think can benefit from this kind of thing. Anyone that's willing to try should get started as soon as possible to be more spiritual so they can reap the benefits quickly.