pixel

< Return to All Episodes

SPLITTING: Understanding What Divides Us

Aug 19, 2021

Photo Credit: via Pixabay

We seem hard-wired to split the world into polarities: right/wrong, either/or, victory/defeat, Democrat/Republican. Infants and toddlers have not yet achieved the developmental capacity for complexity; they are believed to split their feelings toward caretakers into “good” and “bad,” depending on whether their needs are being met in the moment.

Although it distorts reality, splitting reduces anxiety by locating the problem “out there,” allowing us to reject what we find aversive and affirm our own virtue, self-worth, and blamelessness. The capacity for ambivalence—the ability to hold opposite feelings—requires more differentiated cognitive skills and emotional range. Can we bear anxiety in the face of what seems intolerable without retreating to the fortress of one-sided (usually righteous) certainty? Doing so can increase capacity for objectivity, self-reflection, and ability to bridge the split. 

HERE’S THE DREAM WE ANALYZE:

“I was in a room full of people, not sure where or with who, but I suppose they were all friends of mine. I was walking past the couches of people, and I stumbled upon this table. Underneath the table was a head of a person who looked a lot like Sigmund Freud. I approached the sort of “floating head” and said, “you look a lot like Sigmund Freud.” He was smiling at me greatly, and he said, “that’s because I am.” Then his head disappeared like a ghost disappearing into a wall. I jumped back, gasped, and looked around the room to see if anyone saw what I just witnessed. No one had, they all were busy talking, and so I just stared at the spot where his head was trying to make sense of what I saw.” 

REFERENCES:

Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry Eleventh Edition by Benjamin J. Sadock https://www.amazon.com/dp/1609139712/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FXHRS2XVKGW5Q17ZR2K7

Love, Guilt and Reparation. By Melanie Klein https://www.amazon.com/dp/074323765X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZK5F7D7B07XRKH5XJBJ4

RESOURCES:

Learn to Analyze your own Dreams:  https://thisjungianlife.com/enroll/

Learn to work with your own dreams

If This Jungian Life podcast or Dream Wise have spoken to you on a deep level, and you’re feeling ready to learn more about dreamwork and the world of Carl Jung, then our 12-month online program, This Jungian Life Dream School, is for you. Dream School is your opportunity to take the wisdom of Dream Wise even deeper – through a lively community, monthly meetings with Joe, Lisa, and Deb, and optional virtual dream groups. Join us in Dream School for a year-long adventure into the luminous world of your dreams.

Learn More

Want more?

Support Dreams and Depth: Join our Patreon community today
Don’t Miss Out: Submit Your Dream now for a chance to be featured on our podcast
Help Shape Our Show: Your suggestions inspire new discussions. Share your ideas for our next podcast.
Stay inspired every day: Connect and grow with our vibrant community. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube for exclusive updates and engaging discussions on soul growth, empowerment, insight, and creativity.

We’ve published our first book together

In Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams, we present a systematic and comprehensive method for understanding the messages of our dreams, translating C. G. Jung’s brilliant insights into a practical, self-guided method for excavating the hidden wisdom of your dreams.

ORDER NOW