In Jungian psychology, the goal of self-realization is best supported by achieving balance between extroversion and introversion, i.e., entering into a state of individuation where opposite aspects of the psyche are integrated into a cohesive whole. This integration is described as the path to the Self, wherein consciousness and the unconscious are reconciled and harmonized. Key points to understand:
- Individuation is the central process by which the psyche moves toward wholeness. It involves recognizing and integrating divergent parts of the self, including the ego, shadow, anima/animus, and elements of the collective unconscious, toward a unified center—the Self.
- A core component of this process is achieving balance between outward-facing energy (extroversion) and inward-focused energy (introversion). Jung viewed the successful integration of these tendencies as essential for self-realization and the maturation of the personality.
- The Self serves as the organizing center of the psyche, guiding the individuation process. It embodies the totality of the psyche, integrating conscious and unconscious contents and often manifesting through symbols in dreams and fantasy, gradually drawing the ego toward a more complete sense of self.
If you’d like, I can pull in more precise phrasing from Jung’s writings (e.g., references to the Self as the totality of the psyche and the coincidentia oppositorum) or provide a brief contrast with other defenses or stages Jung associates with the journey toward self-realization. Would you like a short quote or a diagrammatic summary of the individuation stages?
