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It’s within the Freudian/Jungian model of the mind that we find two warring factions namely the Id and the Superego.
The Id represents the pleasure-seeking part of the psyche that wants the gratification of lusts and sensual desires, it’s the Id that we come to battle whenever we go on a diet and suddenly have the urge to consume a big piece of chocolate or to go and get a bag of chips or whatever it is that tickles our fancy.
In contrast the superego is our inner policeman, the part of the psyche that contains our own personal list of don’ts, such as ‘don’t steal,’ don’t fight, don’t cheat on your wife etc.’ The superego creates feelings of guilt, shame and reproachment whenever we do something that it does not like. The Ego which is our own sense of personal awareness has the unpleasant job of balancing these two factions, but importantly it’s within the ego that we get a glimpse of our best selves or ego image.
The ego helps us to navigate the external world, make decisions, and regulate our behaviour. It is also involved in processes such as perception, memory, and thought. From a Freudian perspective, the ego operates according to the reality principle, which means that it seeks to satisfy the demands of the id in a way that is realistic and socially acceptable making it rational but also pleasure seeking.
In Jungian psychology, the ego is seen as one of the four main functions of consciousness, along with sensation, thinking, and feeling. According to Jung, the ego is responsible for maintaining a sense of continuity and identity across time, helping us to integrate our experiences into a coherent sense of self but it is within the superego that we get our ideal self, an image of our best self, a unified self, that is representative of our highest ideals. The ego (note not superego) uses imagery and fantasy to communicate this to us, for example a student studying law might have an ego image of herself as a high-power lawyer winning cases for the public good that presents itself within the psyche as a fantasy representation of herself wearing high heels and a business suit in an important legal setting such as courtroom. It’s this image of herself that she must pursue if she wishes to individualise and pursue a meaningful life. Should she not do so then feelings of guilt will arise from within the superego which will make it much more difficult for her to experience personal happiness over a long period of time.
To put it simply if you don’t try to realise your best potential you will never be truly happy! If you can do this whilst also embracing and integrating all aspects of the psyche, including those that are more challenging or difficult then a meaningful and profound life will follow.
Ultimately, the goal of individuation is to achieve a greater sense of wholeness and meaning in our lives, rather than just personal happiness. Jung believed that each person has a unique life purpose or mission, which involves a journey of self-discovery and creative expression. This journey of self-discovery may involve the process of individuation, but it can also involve other aspects of the psyche, such as exploring our spiritual or transpersonal dimensions, connecting with our creativity, or finding ways to contribute to the greater good. In short, while individuation is an important aspect of personal growth and fulfilment, it is not the only path to meaning and purpose in life. Each person must discover their own unique path, which may involve a combination of different processes and practices.
