“By ego I understand a complex of ideas which constitutes the centre of my field of consciousness and appears to possess a high degree of continuity and identity. Hence I also speak of an ego-complex. The ego-complex is as much a content as a condition of consciousness.”
— Jung CW 7: 810
When the infant begins to experience its body as separate from the mother’s body, the ego begins to emerge. The most stinging damage to the young ego is through actual or imagined shaming, and it can be difficult to heal in adult life. Caregivers may express contempt, impatience, or dislike for the child, or continually neglect the child’s needs.
in his book ‘Shame and the Origins of Self-Esteem,’ (p3) Mario Jacoby said: ‘Feelings of shame are linked with the fantasy that I have been exposed to degradation, that I have been scorned by other and/or myself’ and, complex PTSD may result.
However, this talk will focus specifically on the ego, its early development and the components of the ego complex, its drives, and its relation to the unconscious. Some of the symptoms of ego damage will be discussed and show how working therapeutically to strengthen the ego against shame complexes in adulthood can be valuable, and bring effective results.
Annette Lowe is a Jungian Analyst who has been in private practice in St Kilda for over 25 years. She is also a training analyst with the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, and a PACFA accredited supervisor, as well as running the Melbourne Jung Society’s very popular “Jungian Core Concepts Course.” She is an active Life Member and former President of the Melbourne Jung Society and is a regular speaker and contributor to the Melbourne Society activities.
Book your Tickets for Annette’s presentation here.
Your 2023 membership will give you ACCESS TO ALL OF THE SOCIETY’S FRIDAY NIGHT MEETINGS FOR 2023 AT NO COST. Make sure that you include your 2023 membership number with you name (which we will send you when you join/renew) when you book an event on TryBooking.
Contact Lesley at junginsydneymembers@gmail.com for all Jung Society membership inquiries.
Date: 8th September 2023 at 7.00
Venue: Zoom
Cost: Members $Free Non-Members $20 Non-Member
Concession $15
*Psychotherapists and other practitioners can obtain credit for Professional Development hours recognised by PACFA and ACA for this presentation.