Carl Jung - How Your Dark Side Can Make You A Hero (Jungian Philosophy)

Every great story has a hero. But what do you think of when you think  of a hero? Someone who’s selfless, fearless, purely good?

In the movies,  heroes are often portrayed like that. And when you think of yourself, do you think of a  hero? Probably not.

Most people don’t. They don’t even consider themselves as an antihero.  They don’t save the day.

Or so they think. If there’s anyone who knows about heroes, it is  Carl Jung. He was one of the most significant figures in psychology, alongside other big  names like Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler.

As one of the founders of psychoanalysis,  Jung created his own branch of psychology: analytical psychology. This subsection of  psychology delves deep into the human unconscious. But Jung's impact goes far beyond psychology;  his ideas have influenced diverse fields such as anthropology, archaeology, literature, religious  studies, and ofcourse philosophy—all of which combined are referred to as Jungian Philosophy. 

According to Jung, the human mind or psyche is made up of the conscious mind, which we are aware  of, and the unconscious mind, which we are not aware of. Our unconscious mind is further divided  into the personal unconscious, where things we've forgotten or repressed reside, and the collective  unconscious, which holds shared memories and ideas of humanity known as archetypes. Archetypes are  universal, symbolic patterns and themes that recur across cultures and throughout history.

One of the key archetypes is "The Hero," representing the individual's journey towards  self-discovery and growth. Although absolutely related, this is not to be confused with the  immensely popular Hero's Journey storytelling mechanic, where a protagonist goes on  an adventure, overcomes an obstacle, grows from the experience, and goes home. This  Hero's Journey often involves confronting and integrating the shadow, another important concept  in Jungian philosophy.

The shadow lives in the personal unconscious and is the part of our mind  where we hide all the traits and desires we don't like or can't accept about ourselves, such as  anger, jealousy, or fear. Although the shadow might seem scary or mysterious, understanding  and accepting it is vital for personal growth. By facing these hidden parts of ourselves, we  stop wasting energy on hiding them and instead use that energy positively.

This process  of integrating your shadow, your dark side, helps you become more whole and balanced, which  is key to becoming the Hero in your own life. . Which is why in this video, we will be  talking about what the hero archetype is, and how embracing your darkness  could be the key to becoming a hero.

Get To Know The Hero Archetype Carl Jung says “For the hero, fear is a challenge and a task, because  only boldness can deliver from fear. ” As we mentioned, ‘The Hero’ archetype  is one of the Jungian archetypes. Archetypes are universal, recurring symbols that  appear in cultures, families, and societies.

They represent the natural tendencies in your  mind that shape how you see the world and respond to it. Archetypes embody certain human  experiences - such as traits, motivations, and drives - that persist through time. They  can be found in your thoughts, interactions, and feelings and often manifest  through literature, art, and dreams.

Heroes are characterized by their willingness  to go on quests, face daunting obstacles, and rise above challenges to achieve their goals  and realize their potential. According to Jung, the Hero Archetype manifests in the  desire for mastery, a strong will, courage, and competency. Engaging with the Hero  archetype can inspire personal development, inner strength, resilience, and the  pursuit of a meaningful journey.

Some people naturally embody the  hero archetype more than others, meaning they are inclined to face  their fears or have a stronger desire to improve themselves. However,  regardless of your inherent tendencies, what truly matters is your choice to pursue the  Hero Archetype. But How?

By facing your fears. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear; it’s  the decision to move forward despite it. The beauty of facing your fears lies in the  personal growth that emerges from overcoming challenges.

Each time you confront what  scares you, you gain strength and resilience, allowing you to rise above circumstances  that once seemed insurmountable. Whether it’s public speaking, confronting a difficult  relationship, or pursuing a long-held dream, each act of courage helps you develop  a more profound sense of self. To embrace your inner hero, reflect on everything  in life you’ve mastered.

Think of all the struggles you’ve overcome, fears you’ve faced,  and lessons you’ve learned. Recall the times you wanted something so badly you did everything in  your power to achieve it. You might find that, while these examples may seem few, they  are more significant than you realize.

An essential step in embracing your inner  hero is to confront your inner darkness. Get To Know Your Darkness According to Jung “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will  direct your life and you will call it fate. ” In today’s culture, there is a  strong emphasis on positivity: "good vibes only.

" Many believe that by  ignoring negative thoughts, they can achieve anything. But according to Jung,  the exact opposite is true. Ignoring the negative aspects of life  is akin to relinquishing your control.

When you repress your shadow, you allow your  negative traits and desires to fester. These so-called 'bad' traits don’t disappear; they  remain within you, influencing your behavior even if you’re unaware of them. Consider  the sudden angry outbursts you've had, the moments of jealousy, or instances when  you felt you lost control over your emotions.

Your shadow operates in the background, shaping  your decisions and relationships while creating behavioral patterns you can’t seem to break.  As Jung said, ignoring the shadow will ensure it directs your life. It can lead you to believe  you lack the power to change your circumstances.

A hero, first and foremost, is someone who knows  their shadow deeply. They not only acknowledge it but accept it wholeheartedly and live  openly with it. The hero recognizes that the ugliest parts of themselves—insecurities,  anger, and fears—must be addressed, examined, and understood.

This self-awareness holds the  key to growth. But how does one achieve this key? The most effective approach to confronting your  shadow is to ask yourself honest questions.

Think of yourself as a fully rounded character.  You have strengths and positive qualities, but any good character also has flaws and makes mistakes.  Consider those moments when your shadow may have controlled your thoughts, behavior, and feelings. 

When was the last time you lashed out? What triggered that reaction? Is there an insecurity  there?

What traits do you wish to avoid, and when do you notice them appearing in you? Reflecting  on these questions can provide valuable insights. Another way the shadow manifests is  through projection.

This occurs when you become annoyed with others for  exhibiting negative traits that you, too, possess. Your reaction to such behavior is  often unexpectedly dramatic, serving as a clue that something deeper is at play. Whenever you  feel yourself judging others, take a moment to reflect on what you’re truly judging and why.

Does  it hit closer to home than you thought it would? Questioning yourself and reflecting on your  behavior can be facilitated through journaling, meditating, drawing, or engaging in activities  that allow your mind to wander. Now, this process is anything but relaxing; it can be painful and  frightening, but the answers you find—no matter how undesirable—are essential for personal growth. 

They are what can transform you into a hero. Face The Darkness To quote Jung “I am what I choose to become. ” By facing the darkness within, we reclaim control over our lives.

We stop being victims of  our hidden impulses and start becoming the creators of our own destinies. We  begin to embody the essence of a hero. Finding your shadow is a heavy, daunting process. 

It helps to remember that everybody has a shadow, and it does not make anyone a bad person -  it makes them human. Normal. It may even be the very thing that makes them a hero.

However,  to reach this understanding, you cannot merely recognize your shadow; you must accept its  presence and integrate it into your life. The first step in this journey is recognizing the  beauty of your shadow. Without your ‘bad’ traits, your good qualities wouldn’t shine as brightly. 

Overcompensating or an excess of positivity can lead to imbalance. If you don’t experience fear,  your courage can turn into impulsivity. If you lack assertiveness, your generosity may become  a weakness.

If you never take time to rest, your hard-working attitude may negatively  impact your health. To allow your positive traits to thrive, you must confront and accept  your darkness. Literally tell it you accept it.

Say “I accept you” out loud if you have to,  whatever you need to truly hear those words. Accepting the shadow is an act of bravery. You’re  acknowledging fear and moving forward despite it.

Integrating the shadow brings wisdom and  balance to your life because your shadow is here to teach you. It shows you who you are and  why you are that way—and why that's wonderful! All shadow traits could potentially  be positive if harnessed correctly.

For a classic example, anger can signify a need  for change or assertiveness in advocating for oneself. When channeled positively, it can  motivate you to stand up against injustice. Similarly, laziness might stem  from a need for rest and self-care.

Understanding this can lead to healthier  boundaries and improved productivity. Heroes distinguish between what is a genuinely  harmful trait and what serves to help you thrive. Some fear, laziness, or even greed  may stem from a need for self-preservation.

Some happiness requires sadness to be meaningful.  Embracing this duality is what makes you a hero, as it allows you to navigate the complexities  of life with grace and understanding. Face The Light In the words of Jung “Knowing your own darkness is the best method  for dealing with the darkness of other people.

” Heroes need villains. However, real life is not  as black and white as that. You aren’t a hero battling evil people; you’re a nuanced human being  surrounded by other nuanced human beings.

Jung’s insight here is profound: If you don’t understand  your own darkness, you’ll struggle to deal with the darkness in others. Consider how often you’ve  judged someone for being too aggressive, too selfish, or too controlling, only to later realize  that those qualities are present within you. When you make peace with your own shadow,  something transformative occurs.

You become more compassionate and less reactive. You  recognize that the flaws and struggles you see in others are part of the human  condition—just as they are in you. This shift creates a powerful transition from judgment to  understanding and from isolation to empathy.

In real life, villains are not defeated by  pushing them off a building. The ‘villains’ in your life are best addressed  through understanding, compromise, and coexistence. When you recognize your  own flaws, you gain insight into the struggles of others.

This knowledge fosters  empathy, allowing you to approach them with understanding rather than animosity—even if  they remain unaware of their own shadows. A hero, in Jung’s view, is someone who comprehends  their darkness. Through this understanding, they can connect with others on a deeper,  more meaningful level.

You can’t get along with everyone; some relationships  may require distance. But you can move forward knowing that you’ve treated  others not as one-dimensional villains, but as complex individuals  worthy of understanding. Be Yourself In our final quote from Jung for this video, he says “The privilege  of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.

" Any true hero is uniquely,  unapologetically themselves. Jung believed that the 'privilege of a lifetime'  is not simply to live, but to live as the person you were meant to be. This means understanding and  accepting all aspects of yourself, including those parts you’d rather hide, your dark side.

It’s  about reclaiming the energy and potential locked within your shadow and using it to fuel your  creativity, relationships, and personal growth. Someone who knows their shadow is someone who  accepts themselves for who they truly are, without expectations. When we embrace the  full spectrum of who we are - both light and dark - we begin to tap into a deeper  sense of purpose.

We finally create room not only for goals but for the means  to achieve them. At the core of Jung’s philosophy is the idea of individuation - the  process of becoming your true self. This is the ultimate goal of this hero’s journey:  not to conform to society’s expectations, nor to live out someone else’s idea of success,  but to become fully and authentically you.

This process is challenging. It demands  courage, painful self-reflection, and a willingness to confront the  uncomfortable truths about yourself. But, this is what sets heroes apart from the  ordinary: a hero is someone who strives to be whole, even when it’s difficult.

When  you become your true self, you are a hero and you have already embarked on your first  hero’s journey: mastering your own self. If you enjoyed this video, please make  sure to check out our full philosophies for life playlist and for more videos to  help you find success and happiness using beautiful philosophical wisdom, don’t forget  to subscribe. Thanks so much for watching.