Self-Authority Begins Where Conditioning Ends

Topic of conversation within the Jungian community I’m in — Mastering Family & Social Complexes. What we are taught from childhood is familial and social structures. An ecosystem. The interactions we experience become who we are. The primary concept is that the majority of what we learned didn’t involve self. We were directed to follow a system. This is where shadow work creates integration. To learn who we are outside of the ecosystem. To create our own structures. When we do this — presenting self into the world becomes a bit easier. How we interact with others becomes less projection oriented and more self directed. We learn to become in control, not the outside world controlling internal states. Though, most people would say “I am in control” what they mean is that they are managing behavior. Emotional regulation, however, is not suppression—it is the capacity to remain present while activation arises, without being overtaken by it. I would encourage the question, when presented or take notice, “Do you consider yourself an emotionally regulated person” of the sorts. Direct a question for them to self reflect when you see their emotions rise. The best route is almost always observation. Most interpersonal conflict is due to being in a house of mirrors. What we see is a direct reflection of our internal state of being and structures. Mastery is not found in controlling others or circumstances, but in recognizing when the psyche is speaking—and choosing to listen rather than react.