Guest Post by Don Murphy
Reading some Carl Jung tonight and two very important observations intersected like a bolt of lightning and understanding was gained. This may get a bit involved…
First, understand that societies in general can be viewed from a mass psychiatric viewpoint just like an individual. An excellent fictional story in this vein is ‘The Foundation Trilogy’ by Isaac Asimov.
Second, understand that history is cyclical in nature. It may not have appeared so to people in times past (a point which I would actually argue) but in our modern age we have no excuse for not realizing that. The preeminent work on this in my opinion is ‘The Fourth Turning’ by William Strauss and Neil Howe. Easily one of the books that made the greatest impact on my life!
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”
Carl Jung
“Even on the highest peak we will not be ‘beyond good and evil,’ and the more we experience of their inextricable entanglement the more uncertain our moral judgement will be… The wrong we have done, thought, or intended will wreak its vengeance on our souls, no matter whether we turn the world upside down or not.”
Carl Jung