Carl Jung

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Root of problems

  “We shall not go wrong if we seek for the curious form of the disease in the teeming sexuality of this too-rich soil.”

  Our noteJung discusses how repressed or exuberant internal drives manifest as complex psychological symptoms.

• Sensitivity to stimuli

  “With susceptible subjects relatively insignificant stimuli suffice to bring about the somnambulic state.”

  Our noteJung explains how small triggers can cause significant shifts in consciousness for certain individuals.

• Future personality formation

  “It is not therefore unthinkable that these phenomena of double consciousness are nothing but character-formations for the future personality, or their attempts to burst forth.”

  Our noteJung discusses how temporary psychological disturbances might actually be the early stages of a new, stronger character developing.

• Over-explaining behavior

  “The test-person is not content with the requirements of the instruction, that is, she is not satisfied with _one_ word, but reacts with many words.”

  Our noteJung describes how some people feel the need to add unnecessary supplements to their answers.

• emotion over intellect

  “The meaningful associations of the uneducated are not really the product of intellectual thinking, but are simply the results of a special emotional state.”

  Our noteJung notes that raw emotional engagement often yields more significant insights than detached intellect.

• Attachment to past

  “He clearly prefers to be tormented still further; for it would seem that the recollection of his youth is more precious to him than any present joys.”

  Our noteJung observes a patient who chooses suffering over change due to a deep bond with his past.

• Family influence circle

  “In this case also the whole movement of a life takes place in the magic circle of the familial constellation.”

  Our noteJung summarizes how family history dictates the trajectory of an individual's life.

• Multiple meanings

  “Every symbol has more than one meaning. I can therefore not admit the correctness of exclusively sexual interpretations”

  Our noteJung argues that symbols are versatile and should not be reduced to a single category.

• Dual cause theory

  “The psychological determination of a neurosis is only partially due to an early infantile predisposition; it is due to a certain actual cause as well.”

  Our noteJung argues that current life challenges are as important as past experiences.

• Self understanding

  “the analysed person gets to understand not his anxiety-experiences alone, but his whole self most completely, and by means of this understanding he can build up and fashion his whole life anew.”

  Our noteDr. Loÿ reflects on Jung's view that analysis is about rebuilding one's entire life.