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DUALITY
Probably influenced by Eastern philosophies and religions, Jung adopted a dualistic framework of positive psychology. Jung (1933) recognized that duality ︎ is the fact of human nature: “Every good quality has its bad side, and nothing that is good can come into the world without directly producing a corresponding evil. This is a painful fact”. One example of this duality is that we cannot achieve wholeness without integrating the dark side of the self.
The archetype of the Self represents the center of the psyche and is commonly expressed by the symbol of a Mandela. The Self signifies wholeness, the product of integrating the consciousness and unconscious aspects of the psyche through individuation. One cannot actualize selfhood without getting in touch with the Shadow, the archetype of the dark and rejected parts of the self.
The Shadow contains the libido, forbidden feelings such as lust and rage. The Shadow wants to be acknowledged and brought into consciousness. Jungian analysts Zweig and Wolf (1997) point out if we embrace and “romance” the Shadow, we will channel it to productive use and gain access to vitality and creativity.
It takes courage to undertake the “Shadow work” because it can be painful to come to terms with one’s negative emotions painful aspects of life, such as personal traumas and family secrets. However, if we ignore the Shadow, it will become darker and denser, and sooner or later it will surface in some destructive way.