Jung teaches us that an inflated consciousness is always egocentric and perceives nothing beyond its own existence. It is incapable of learning from the past, of understanding contemporary events, or of drawing sound conclusions about the future. It becomes hypnotized by itself and, consequently, impossible to reason with. It is inevitably destined for calamity, which eventually strikes it with full force.
The Danger of Egocentrism
A person is egocentric when they consider themselves the center of all interest and the center of the world. They become self-serving and narcissistic. The danger of egocentrism lies in the fact that the ego and the personal shadow are complementary and opposing structures. Everything we believe belongs to the ego is compensated by an equal opposite in the personal shadow, through an energetic phenomenon.
There must always be opposites for the process of equilibrium, which is energy, to occur. Everything that is done or that can be experienced in life always has an unlived opposite in the unconscious.
The Ego and the Hidden Self
When the existence of a particular human characteristic is denied by the ego, it becomes lodged in the personal shadow. Denying these contents does not make them disappear, because they are part of the human psyche. The ego represents the "socialized self," while the shadow is the "hidden self." The ego and the shadow always develop in opposing pairs, creating each other from the experiences of life.
James Wyly, in his book "The Phallic Quest," shows that this split-off part becomes a kind of advocate for the interests of the Self, the archetype of wholeness and the regulating center of the psyche. Because it lacks access to the ego's perceptions, the Self seeks integration, dramatically fighting against the ego, calling its attention to itself by undermining the inflated constructions that have been built.
The Shadow Demands Attention
When the personal shadow (the part the ego tries to hide from itself and from others) shows itself, the ego attempts to flee as quickly as possible. This solidifies yet another inflated attitude, a constant tension. The vicious cycle repeats itself. The shadow and the ego are always in disagreement, in conflict, because they are opposites.
An analogy for this process is: when the ego is not paying attention, the shadow delivers a blow, or hides and pinches the ego. It is as if the shadow were constantly striking the ego for feeling rejected and dominated by it. When the ego does pay attention to the shadow, the shadow quiets its attacks, because it is finally being seen.
Integration as the Path to Maturity
The integration of suppressed psychic material is an essential path in the process of personal and professional development. A person can continue their life journey, assuming with responsibility and maturity their psychological shadow, giving it the same weight as the ego, reaching their true self and advancing through life with a more interesting and creative future.