Jung in the Covid® Era: The Wisdom & Insight of Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)

For those unfamiliar with Carl Jung, this short bio gives some insight into the life of the man who would become the father of analytical psychology. Jung also advanced the idea of the introvert/extrovert personality type and of synchronicity, among others.

His education and interests eventually brought him together with Sigmund Freud. They worked together for about five years, but Jung eventually broke with Freud, which cost him dearly early on:

“But breaking with Freud had consequences for Jung. Freud closed off his inner circle to the younger psychologist, and others in the psychoanalytic community also shunned him. In 1914, he resigned from the International Psychoanalytic Society and continued undaunted in the development of his ideas.

Seeking to further distinguish his work from Freud's, Jung adopted the term "analytical psychology" and delved deep into his work. His most important development from this early period was his conception of introverts and extroverts and the notion that people can be categorized as one of the two, depending on the extent to which they exhibit certain functions of consciousness. Jung's work in this area was featured in his 1921 publication Psychological Types.”

Jung offered a more balanced, compassionate view of humans (in my opinion) than Freud’s “everything’s about repressed sexuality, boys and girls.” Yet he didn’t go too easy on us either…

For whatever reason, I got to thinking about Jung the other day. I began to ponder what he would think about the self-inflicted Covid® carnage still plaguing (cough, cough…pardon the pun) the entire world. Would he be shaking his head? Would he examine this through the lens of the unconscious mind?

I think the quote below gives us a hint:

Jung’s Wisdom in the Covid® Era

In the following 10-minute video, a male narrator verbalizes some of Jung’s most famous quotes. The rhythm and resonance of the narrator’s deep voice merge with thought-provoking words to mesmerize the listener.

As you listen, which ones strike you? Which ones apply in your mind to people’s conduct in the Covid® era? Any with which you disagree?

Many struck me, but one reminded me of something my mother said to me decades ago and that I took to heart:

“Never mind what people say, Kathleen. Watch what they do.”

Words to live by.

Do any of the quotes remind you of your own wisdom, your own words or expressions that you cherish? Live by? Words of wisdom handed down to you from your parents, grandparents? I hope you’ll leave them in the Comments!

Finally, a Jung quote not in this video, but one that applies through the ages, but most especially in this tragic era:

Words to live by.