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Extending and deepening the horizons of psychological thinking and new philosophical ideas.
Extending the application of Jung's Psychological Types from clinical experience.
The title remains a starter to the notion that it is through the inferior function of the patient/client where insight can be forthcoming. A second point is that the primary notion of psych' Types can be both simplified and expanded to include archetypal identities as well as each type having objectives within their primary function. Thirdly: there is a critical path of decision making that can be both found, recognised and once understood, can offer insight into dis function according to where…
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The almond tree of my focus is a mature specimen. Its twisted trunk rises Forty –five feet in height and at the moment is leaved and green. A number of its branches are festooned with bits of silk, which have been tied there by my daughter, a long enough time ago, that the hanging ribbons are shredded and faded into the palest shade of their original coloration. Half of the ways up the trunk, nestled in the limbs of the almond tree, are a number of pieces of bamboo, leftovers from last year’s fort making. I know from past observation that each year in February, this almond tree is in bloom. The tree, then, becomes a riotous pink blossoming home to tens of thousands of bees. Each bee is concentrated on pollinating the blossoms of this tree with bits of pollen “accidentally” carried from neighboring trees. Later in the summer, these pollinated blossoms generate fruits containing the almond seed. In all of the years I have lived in my house I have never actually gotten to taste one of these nuts from my tree. This is because this almond tree seems to be the entire domain of a family of squirrels who “harvest” the almonds when they are young, green and quite bitter to the likes of my kind.
“I do not merely encounter the tree, am not simply confronted with it, but discover in this existent before me a certain nature, the notion of which I actively evolve” (Merleau-Ponty, 2008, p. 430). This active evolvement of the phenomenon of the tree is, it seems, an opening into its nature and a consideration of the phenomenon of “wild.” The evolvement is evident, as the almond tree becomes something more than an object. There is an aspect to this tree that is animating it, creating the cyclicity of blossoming, fruit bearing, color change, leaf dropping and leaf getting. This tree, planted some sixty years ago is, on a deeper consideration, movement.
So it is with any phenomenon even president Obama there is a movement as we consider meeting life "as it is" because the life as it is is constantly changing according to the amount of thought and imagination given to the issue at hand. Responding to Doreen, wishing and imagining are a bit different. Wishing contains a degree of passivity within it and creating is by nature active and involved. At his his finest Obama seems quite imaginative and engaged. I don't think he has arrived at his present position by "wishing." I would suggest that the future starts as invisible and through our perceptions and creativity, it evolves and becomes visible and present.
Meeting Life As It Is: Whatever one thinks about President Obama, most would acknowledge that he appears unflappable under pressure. Regardless of the enormous obstacles to success that he faces every day, the President remains measured and thoughtful in his response. It’s hard not to admire this personal characteristic.
At least one reason for this leadership trait was hinted at in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize. Paraphrasing, he said that while he is unwavering in his commitment to world peace, he takes the world as it is. I've noticed that this stance also marks truly exceptional leaders in other walks of life: the ability to remain open and hopeful, while dealing honestly with current realities.
It is fine to wish that things were different, but wishing for things that are not at least partially grounded in reality distracts one from making great strides in the world.
Rapid change is the norm today, and remaining nimble is crucial for anyone who wants to be an agent of significant change. So, how does a leader keep his or her cool through it all? I believe that it is by making change the norm, and stability the surprising exception.
If we set our expectations so that we fully invest ourselves in today’s initiatives, while simultaneously preparing for the likelihood of tomorrow’s changing demands, we will suffer less disappointment. This amounts to doing our best work in the moment and taking the world as it is in the next moment. Furthermore, we shouldn’t take unplanned-for periods of stability for granted—we should celebrate them as auspicious—and unusual—gifts of life!
Continuing with the President Obama example, notice that however much congressional infighting inhibits forward movement, the President maintains a calm demeanor and seems open to discussion. What we frustrated citizens (myself included!!!) consider a problem, I believe that President Obama views as a normal part of the political landscape that must be planned for in the course of governing.
Our expectations contribute in a big way to our moods and capacity to respond effectively to day-to-day issues. Expecting that things will go our way is a set-up for disappointment and isn’t even reasonable in the complex world in which we live and work. However forward-thinking we may believe ourselves to be, it is impossible to foresee every eventuality. And all leaders must be ready to respond appropriately in the moment. Having an inspiring vision and remaining optimistic about the future, while meeting life squarely as it comes, is a learned skill of exceptional leaders.
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