Forget every pre-conceived notion you have about the introvert
The West is an outward-going culture and introverts are a minority; shamed not only by our culture, but by our own families, as Jung notes below. I Googled "introverted child" and the first hit I landed on was a forum for parents of introverted children. The thread: "how to deal with the shame of having an introverted child." My own sister scolds her eldest son often for being introverted, as if he were sick. The boy has I.Q. points of a genius, but he isn't who she wants him to be. I hurt for him. In trying to please her, he is corrupting his natural way of being and slowly but surely becoming neurotic as well as exceedingly more distant from his God-given talents."I consider...to describe the introverted attitude as philautic, autoerotic, egocentric, subjectivistic, egotistic, etc., to be misleading in principle and thoroughly depreciatory. It reflects the normal bias of the extroverted attitude in regard to the nature of the introvert." ~ C.G. Jun
Put on your thinking caps
As we in the West are out-going, extroversion is easier to understand. Even Western-born introverts have been taught out-going coping mechanisms, leaving them confused in dealing with their inner and outer struggles. If they become neurotic and find themselves in therapy it may be the happiest, most rewarding experience.
"The inner world is a delight for the introvert. He feels at home, where the only changes are made by himself. His best work is done with his own resources, on his own initiative, and in his own way. If ever he succeeds, after long and often wearisome struggle, in assimilating something alien to himself, he is capable of turning it to excellent account." ~ C.G. Jung, C.W.
In other words, the introvert has an easier time taking on the inward journey required for transformation (via the assimilation of unconscious elements) than the extrovert, because of their natural acceptance, even delight, with exploring their unconscious elements. their unconscious is their sandbox.
"The inner world is a delight for the introvert. He feels at home, where the only changes are made by himself. His best work is done with his own resources, on his own initiative, and in his own way. If ever he succeeds, after long and often wearisome struggle, in assimilating something alien to himself, he is capable of turning it to excellent account." ~ C.G. Jung, C.W.
In other words, the introvert has an easier time taking on the inward journey required for transformation (via the assimilation of unconscious elements) than the extrovert, because of their natural acceptance, even delight, with exploring their unconscious elements. their unconscious is their sandbox.
Review of the biological basis of Jung's theory of types
If you haven't read my lens on extroversion it would be a good idea to do so now for two reasons: 1) to give you a basic understanding of Jung's ideas on typology, 2) I will be contrasting introversion and extroversion in this lens.
One thing I want to re-visit is the factors on which Jung based his theory of types.
Biologically, Jung saw two fundamental attitudes which ensure the continued existence of a species. The first is "a high rate of fertility with lower powers of defense and a shorter life span." The second is "having numerous means of self-preservation and a low fertility rate."
An example of the former would be bees, which multiply by the hundreds, have few means of defense, and live for a short time. An example of the latter would be lions, who have litters of 1-4, have marvelous means of defense, and can live 14 years in the wild.
Jung further claims that this is the very foundation of our psychological modes of adaptation: the extrovert propagates while the introvert defends.
One thing I want to re-visit is the factors on which Jung based his theory of types.
Biologically, Jung saw two fundamental attitudes which ensure the continued existence of a species. The first is "a high rate of fertility with lower powers of defense and a shorter life span." The second is "having numerous means of self-preservation and a low fertility rate."
An example of the former would be bees, which multiply by the hundreds, have few means of defense, and live for a short time. An example of the latter would be lions, who have litters of 1-4, have marvelous means of defense, and can live 14 years in the wild.
Jung further claims that this is the very foundation of our psychological modes of adaptation: the extrovert propagates while the introvert defends.
Drum roll...The Introvert!
The introvert orients themself by subjective factors. No two people see the same object the same way. The extrovert takes in what comes from the object. The introvert relies on what the object constellates in them. they thrives on things that stimulate them unconscious including any kind of abstract art.
As the language of the unconscious is imagistic, an introvert (unless they have a highly developed thinking function) may not always have much to say, and often not until they lets things roll around inside for awhile. When I was much younger and not very spontaneous I often heard said about me "they may not say much, but what they does say is always a doozy!" It wasn't that I was crafting responses, it was a necessary internal process required: Input - internal processing - output.
someone teaches an advanced seminar for psychology students at a university well-known for it's psychology department. He begins the first day by telling this select group of 25:
"There will be one person who will try to dominate the discussions; there will be a handful or more who will willingly contribute to most of the discussions; most of the rest will willingly contribute when called on. And then there are those one or two special people who have more substance to contribute than the rest of you babblers but are either too shy, or don't know how to put it into words - they are introverted. Don't make the mistake and judge them as stupid. They have more going on inside of them and possibly have more IQ points than the rest of the class put together. I know - I'm married to one"
Of course, he was biased, but it pleased me that he valued me in this way.
As the language of the unconscious is imagistic, an introvert (unless they have a highly developed thinking function) may not always have much to say, and often not until they lets things roll around inside for awhile. When I was much younger and not very spontaneous I often heard said about me "they may not say much, but what they does say is always a doozy!" It wasn't that I was crafting responses, it was a necessary internal process required: Input - internal processing - output.
someone teaches an advanced seminar for psychology students at a university well-known for it's psychology department. He begins the first day by telling this select group of 25:
"There will be one person who will try to dominate the discussions; there will be a handful or more who will willingly contribute to most of the discussions; most of the rest will willingly contribute when called on. And then there are those one or two special people who have more substance to contribute than the rest of you babblers but are either too shy, or don't know how to put it into words - they are introverted. Don't make the mistake and judge them as stupid. They have more going on inside of them and possibly have more IQ points than the rest of the class put together. I know - I'm married to one"
Of course, he was biased, but it pleased me that he valued me in this way.
The introvert's dependence on the subject
Without the sanction of the subject, nothing can be undertaken. Everything they does rests on their own decisions and convictions and never because they are influenced by somebody else. The introvert is not forthcoming, as though in continual retreat from the object. they dislikes being in gatherings where there are too many people (more than two) where they feels lonely and lost. As well, because their curtain between their ego and the unconscious is thinner than that of the extrovert, they can become flooded by the underlying dynamics of a crowd (more than two) which the extrovert doesn't even know exist.
The introvert is distrustful, self-willed and often suffers from inferiority and thus is envious. they goes out into the world defended with cautiousness, frugality, painful self-consciousness and politeness.they are pessimistic and worried - the world and human beings are not good, but out to crush them. their best company is their own.
The introvert is distrustful, self-willed and often suffers from inferiority and thus is envious. they goes out into the world defended with cautiousness, frugality, painful self-consciousness and politeness.they are pessimistic and worried - the world and human beings are not good, but out to crush them. their best company is their own.
The introverted child
An introverted child is reflecting, thoughtful, shy and fearful of unknown objects. they attempts to master known objects, but resists unknown objects.
I had a Cocker Spaniel who illustrates this precisely. He was needy and clingy from day one. When I bought him the breeders told me they thought they would put him down because he wouldn't let anyone near him, but he took to me instantly. We lived happily ever after. Gus had only one toy - a red rubber ball. He loved that ball and wore me out throwing it around.
One day something happened to make a crack in it, I knew he would out-live that ball. I went out and bought another red rubber ball - the exact same make. He sniffed and snorted at it and would have nothing to do with it. I tied the two of them together for awhile and then took them apart. It didn't work. He had one toy for the rest of his life, even though it wasn't even a ball for long, just a piece of rubber which kept falling apart. I put pieces of it away for safe-keeping.
Eventually his ball was gone. The week before I put him down I took out those old pieces of rubber and let him chew! I knew he could choke on one of them, but he was ecstatic! What a happy old dog he was to see his one and only friend again.
I had a Cocker Spaniel who illustrates this precisely. He was needy and clingy from day one. When I bought him the breeders told me they thought they would put him down because he wouldn't let anyone near him, but he took to me instantly. We lived happily ever after. Gus had only one toy - a red rubber ball. He loved that ball and wore me out throwing it around.
One day something happened to make a crack in it, I knew he would out-live that ball. I went out and bought another red rubber ball - the exact same make. He sniffed and snorted at it and would have nothing to do with it. I tied the two of them together for awhile and then took them apart. It didn't work. He had one toy for the rest of his life, even though it wasn't even a ball for long, just a piece of rubber which kept falling apart. I put pieces of it away for safe-keeping.
Eventually his ball was gone. The week before I put him down I took out those old pieces of rubber and let him chew! I knew he could choke on one of them, but he was ecstatic! What a happy old dog he was to see his one and only friend again.
More about introverted childrens
Outside influences are met with violent resistance (the first day of school). they wants their own way and will not submit to a rule they cannot understand. When they asks questions, it is not from curiosity but to gain knowledge in order to protect them from the object.
"I have seen an introverted child who made his first attempts to walk only after he had learned the names of all the objects in the room he might touch." ~ C.G. Jung, C.W.
"I have seen an introverted child who made his first attempts to walk only after he had learned the names of all the objects in the room he might touch." ~ C.G. Jung, C.W.
The super-inflated introvert
An overly developed introverted attitude leads to a denied objective factor. their style IS highly egocentric, ruling out every other opinion, inflexible, setting aside any objective data. At the extreme their ego will become super-inflated, leading to a boundless power-complex.
"Many of Nietzsche's lapse's in taste are due to this subjectivization of consciousness" ~ C.G. Jung
However, they are actually in a self-induced prison:
"The more the ego struggles to preserve its independence, freedom from obligation and superiority, the more it becomes enslaved to the objective data." ~ C.G. Jung
"Many of Nietzsche's lapse's in taste are due to this subjectivization of consciousness" ~ C.G. Jung
However, they are actually in a self-induced prison:
"The more the ego struggles to preserve its independence, freedom from obligation and superiority, the more it becomes enslaved to the objective data." ~ C.G. Jung
Enter the unconscious
Any un-nurtured part of ourselves has not matured. When the conscious ego needs balancing our only resources are these archaic unconscious elements. They slip in to take care of our relation to the object in a way that will bring the illusion of power and superiority to ruin.
The introvert will wear themself out making attempts to re-assert themself on the object. This constant inner struggle drains them of energy and tends to psychasthenia - a "malady characterized on the one hand by extreme sensitivity and on the other by great proneness to exhaustion and chronic fatigue"
photo credit: "The Scream" by Edvard Munch
The introvert will wear themself out making attempts to re-assert themself on the object. This constant inner struggle drains them of energy and tends to psychasthenia - a "malady characterized on the one hand by extreme sensitivity and on the other by great proneness to exhaustion and chronic fatigue"
photo credit: "The Scream" by Edvard Munch
A balanced introverted attitude
The more normal introvert is simply more conservative than the extrovert. He favors staying put than running around - in a search for quietude where "alone it is possible for him to make his contribution to the life of the community." ~ C.G. Jung
Due to his subjective orientation there may be a degree of ego inflation and an unconscious power drive.
Jung spent a good deal of his time alone at his tower at Bollingen, which he built with his own two hands. It had no indoor plumbing or electricity. He wanted to be as close to nature as possible in order to create a space where he had "nothing better to do but play." Through play he created beautiful stone carvings, painted incredible mandalas and other art.
But most consistently he was seen by his neighbors across the lake to be simply making riverlets as well as castles in the sand.
Due to his subjective orientation there may be a degree of ego inflation and an unconscious power drive.
Jung spent a good deal of his time alone at his tower at Bollingen, which he built with his own two hands. It had no indoor plumbing or electricity. He wanted to be as close to nature as possible in order to create a space where he had "nothing better to do but play." Through play he created beautiful stone carvings, painted incredible mandalas and other art.
But most consistently he was seen by his neighbors across the lake to be simply making riverlets as well as castles in the sand.
Our role in the world as an introvert
In classic introverted style, I believe that the most important work anyone can do in this lifetime is to become aware of his or her own unconscious elements and work on integrating them, leading to transformation. Any transformation of a single unique piece of the Tao effects the entire Tao in a positive way - growth. As others work on changing the world by having tea parties on the one hand, or supporting the current administration on the other hand, I do my part by taking on the equally hard job of trying to own parts of myself that are really ugly - I mean bone-chilling ugly.
One part of this work is holding together opposites elements which come to me in my dreams. Try holding together two opposing views in the exact same space at the exact same time. Just like holding a positive and negative electrical charge together, it creates a spark, at best, or makes you feel crazy and you either try again or you back off.
I've spent my entire adult life involved in this quest, which brings to mind a favorite quote:
One part of this work is holding together opposites elements which come to me in my dreams. Try holding together two opposing views in the exact same space at the exact same time. Just like holding a positive and negative electrical charge together, it creates a spark, at best, or makes you feel crazy and you either try again or you back off.
I've spent my entire adult life involved in this quest, which brings to mind a favorite quote:
The Hero
" and so Galahad decided that it would be a disgrace to set off on a quest with the other knights. Alone he would enter the dark forest where there was no path. This is the myth of the hero's journey."
~ Joseph Campbell
More about my adventures as an introvert
I was lucky enough to find myself in the lap of a Jungian analyst and the sacred space we built together not only saved me from the clutches of a garden variety introverted neurosis but nurtured my already profound connection with my unconscious (I have prophetic dreams and I am clairvoyant) and channeled it in a way so as to be expressive and productive.As opposites do attract, I love some my extroverted friends, and with the help of the most special and sensitive, I am learning how to "turn left out of the driveway." Just as any extreme extroverts reading this wouldn't give up the exhilaration of the wind blowing through their hair as they drive down the highway at full throttle, I wouldn't give up my connection with my unconscious for anything!
It's wild in there guys!
