Applying Carl Jung’s concept of “Enantiodromia” to reach balance 

Enantiodromia can be defined as “running counter to” and is a principle in Jungian analytical psychology developed by Carl Jung (Jung & Shamdasani, 2009).

Jung observed that in life things tended to at one point morph into their opposite whenever they reached an extreme position. Jung referred to this tension he observed in life, highlighting the paradox of interconnectedness of opposites which he derived from the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus.

In a quote attributed Heraclitus, the image of the bow was used by him to illustrate this as he believed that seemingly opposing forces, like the tension of the bow and the string, are essential for creation and balance in the universe:

“The bow (βιός) is called life (βίος) but its work is death” or “The bow’s name is life, but its work is death”. Heraclitus

This quote might suggests that “life” (the bow) can lead to “death” (represented by the arrow) highlighting the interconnectedness of opposing forces. 

Jung’s concept of enantiodromia/of opposite forces within a person or system to spring forth and ultimately balance each other, can be applied to many fields.  In today’s society, oligarchies, which companies like Amazon might represent, have tended to become so focused on their own power and wealth, that they can create the conditions for their own downfall. According to enantiodromia, activism and shifts in public opinion are outcomes resulting from the tension these systems create and an example of a force countering their tendency to over-power the system. 

This can also be very useful in psychotherapy. In the process of individuation, for example, individuals through psychotherapeutic work learn to recognise and integrate their conscious and unconscious aspects, including their shadow self. The “invisible force of” enantiodromia can be seen as this life energy pushing individuals to confront and integrate their repressed material and aspects they would rather not see. The positive side of this is that it ultimately might lead to a more balanced and integrated sense of self. Petruska Clarkson has often referred to life as a “co-therapist”.

I too have observed, in my own clinical work, that a natural process does tend to ensue whenever extreme (conscious or not) positions are adopted. Often these extreme positions lead to human suffering in the form of internal anguish and so the unconscious counteracts this by forcing the repressed material to “come out of the bag” and forth in the therapy room and/or in the relationship so to speak. In its extreme, when no knowledge or support is available, this can lead to extreme suffering including depression, anxiety and even paranoia and extreme splits internally. In its more positive form, when support is available and the individual can and wants to address their repressed material with the view of integrating their split parts, this can result in a personality change,  transformation and better life outcomes. 

This notion can be observed throughout history and politically too. Currently there are parallel with the increasing gaps between the ultra-rich and poor. In my country of origin, France, the most famous example and manifestation of enantronodia could be seen sadly with the guillotine period and the French Revolution. As epitomised by the  beheading of Marie-Antoinette who represented a part of society, the ultra-privileged and ultra-rich. Who in their  times were so disconnected from the reality of every day workers’ lives that it ultimately led to their downfall.

How enantiodromia can help us day to day:

It can help us recognize and integrate aspects of ourself that we might have avoided, denied or repressed.  

In psychotherapy, this can be discussed and used so that individuals are shown how their unconscious manifest and therefore impacts their behaviour. This can be experienced emotionally with anxiety and , when the individual is “torn”. The work becomes about having the courage to see what is “defended” and by integrating these “opposite” aspects of self. This leads to more balance and peace.

Using Enantromedia and Shadow work in Therapy

This type of work might benefit you if:

• You have adopted a set of rules and principles, which might, in their extreme and in the long run lead to too much rigidity or “judgement”. 
• Has your extreme position in an area of your life led you to the opposite of what you deeply desire?
•  Have you for example over-focused on one aspect of life to the detriment of others? 
• The most common overemphasis I have witnessed is on either being over-focused on achieving economic/financial/material growth to the detriment of inner and outer-connectedness, spirituality, wellbeing or the opposite, an ascetic obsession with spirituality/self-sacrifice to the detriment of growth of relationship to self and physical reality. This can lead to a profound sense of disconnection and ultimately degradation over time.
• The above work is valid for and can be applied to neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.

Would you like to go deeper and explore “your shadow”? It would be my pleasure to assist you in this with my own integrative blend of what I have studied and applied professionally over the last two decades in the UK and internationally. After having devoted seventeen years of my life in the academic study and application of Arts, Movement, Business and Psychology/Psychology with 12 years at postgraduate and doctoral level work, I can draw from many applied interconnected fields to go deep in your work. Reach out if you’re interested here.

References

Jung, C. G. (1958). Psychology and religion; west and east. Pantheon Books.

Jung, C. (1984). Man and his Symbols. Turtleback Books; School & Library ed. Edition.

Jung, C. G., & Shamdasani, S. (Ed.). (2009). The red book: Liber novus (M. Kyburz & J. Peck, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company.