How Deep Does Depth Psychology Go?

IT DIVES TO THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL — at least in theory, if not always in practice. Take a glance at Jungian theory, for example.

Jung’s structural model of the psyche traces an inward trajectory that begins with the ego, and quickly descends through unconscious complexes and the shadow (something like a neglected alter-ego), to the even more remote and mysterious other that confronts us in the image of the opposite sex, until we finally reach a center that is also and simultaneously the whole of our personality and being, the center and whole of your soul. This center, which Jungians call the self, confronts the ego through personal and abstract images of God — and at the center, the path of soulful descent is seen to be indistinguishable from the path of spiritual ascent.

So, how deep are the deepest depths of the soul to which depth psychology goes? These depths are as profound, as deep as …

… the most transformative religious, spiritual, visionary, and mystical experiences.

… the most uplifting and inspiring poetry, painting, sculpture, dance, and music.

… the most engaging tales of myth, legend, lore, literature, and cinema.

… the creative, molten core of being human, both the human being as a species
     and a human being as a unique individual.

… the soul sicknesses we call dissociative neuroses, depressions, and psychosis.

… the most demonic evils of human cruelty, rejection, violence, and domination.

… the most powerful but unrecognized and unknown desires.

… the hand of fate, the pull of destiny, the “will of God.”

… the point that transcends space, beyond depth and height, up and down.

… the moment that transcends time, beyond past and future.

… the philosopher’s One, which is also the Pleroma (the fullness, the whole).

… the paradoxical emptiness beyond the One and the Pleroma.

… the Great Mystery.

In other words,
depth psychology goes deep enough
to realize that
life is love and love is life.

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