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psychewritesbs · 1 year ago

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hello! I'm the Megumi-enthusiast anon. First, thanks for your kind reply. I took some time to talk to you again because my thoughts and feelings are all over the place when it comes to jjk.

I agree with everything you said. I miss Megumi and it pains me to see him absent at this important moment just because Gege decided to make Sukuna even more powerful? because honestly aside from giving Sukuna freedom and a powerful CT to add to his arsenal I don't know what else Megumi can do for Sukuna...he was already the strongest (alongside Gojo) even without 10 shadows. So if Gege decided to take Megumi away for a while for Sukuna's sake, I hope he makes Megumi fight to come back/to save himself, "I am praying Gege pulls Megumi's super powered most Jungian character ever card and to overwhelm Sukuna with his own sense of self. Somehow, at some point" yes, please!!! I want Megumi to do his thing too.

I find myself very disappointed with various points of the story, the plots, the relationships... (but I also admit that it's partly my guilt for having certain expectations). I could leave jjk but it's been more than two years since I've been extremely involved with this story and God! It's hard for me 😓 only now I also suffer because THE DEUTERAGONIST and my favorite is being dirty by the mangaka.

Have you read chapter 222? ***I must say I'm surprised that Gege decided to jump to December 24 already***

On a side note, I started watching Ergo Proxy because I saw you so excited and it caught my eye. I'm just on the second episode so I don't have much to say but it seems interesting and the main character looks like Amy Lee 😆

HOLA Megumi-enthusiast anon!

First, thanks for your kind reply.

Of course! Thank YOU for the Megumi love and for stopping by again to share your #thoughts.

But before we get to said #thoughts... sorry that I did not get to your ask with the last batch of asks. Let's just say there was a cat sleeping on my lap... and... as you may or may not be aware of, one does not simply move when a cat is sleeping comfortably.

More mental gymnastics under the cut...

Anyways... your ask tho!

it pains me to see [Megumi] absent at this important moment just because Gege decided to make Sukuna even more powerful?... So if Gege decided to take Megumi away for a while for Sukuna's sake, I hope he makes Megumi fight to come back/to save himself, "I am praying Gege pulls Megumi's super powered most Jungian character ever card and to overwhelm Sukuna with his own sense of self. Somehow, at some point" yes, please!!! I want Megumi to do his thing too.

I am going to invite you to see the situation from a slightly different perspective. And you may have already considered this, so ignore me if you have. But what if you thought of it this way...

What if instead of Gege taking Megumi away for Sukuna's sake (aka for Sukuna to grow in power), Megumi was taken away for his own sake?

Like... remember how I was idiotically wanting for Megumi to suffer until chapter 212 dropped and Sukuna possessed Megumi and it just broke my heart and stuff? Thing is... suffering is a catalyst for psycheological growth and transformation.

So even though the execution of how Megumi had to suffer is worse than I expected, he's still suffering intensely because of everything that has happened and how it has happened.

Basically, Sukuna gets to reap the benefits of Megumi's ct and has been using it against the people he cares about. What could possibly cause more suffering for someone who so adamantly wanted to protect "good" people than to hurt those people?

This is why chapter 214 has been one of my absolute favorites in jjk so far. Not only does it acknowledge suffering as an inescapable reality of human experience, it hints at the idea that from understanding and accepting one's suffering, one gets stronger.

And the fact that these words are coming straight out of "Megumi's" mouth, even if it is Sukuna's consciousness speaking, its all the more poignant.

This kind of goes back to the idea of fate and destiny that permeates jjk.

The idea of fate in relation to one's psychology and reality itself is a very complex one so I'm not going to get into how it works, but one of my favorite quotes by Jung is...

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.

So, as the protagonist of his own life, Megumi getting possessed and everything that has transpired as a result of getting possessed is exactly what Megumi needed to grow.

When I wrote this ridiculous ramble a little over a year ago, I had the inkling that...

"Gege has a major event planned that will cause Megumi to have a major reorganization of what he believes to be true about the world--Ego death.

After all, we already know that it is his mentality and his limited perception of himself, which is in turn the result of trauma, that keeps Megumi from owning his destiny."

So again, it's not so much about Sukuna, but what all of this suffering is doing for Megumi.

That's where me saying "Megumi's super powered most Jungian character ever card" comes from. Megumi is so Jungian in that the way he levels up is a metaphor for individuation, which is a term Jung coined to convey the idea of Psychological growth and maturation.

All that to say, the plot isn't happening to Megumi, it is happening FOR Megumi.

But alas... I always like to be prepared for the worse... so let's say that Megumi never makes it out alive and the last of his consciousness we saw was the chapter when Megumi sinks deeper into his own darkness.

So if Megumi never comes back (which is entirely a possibility), Sukuna aside, what is the cautionary tale for those of us who identify with Megumi? What is the lesson that Megumi leaves us with?

That's a question that only you can answer for yourself. A question that I can tell you I'm still working through it in my own psychology.

Hopefully this helps you come to terms with how things are unfolding AND I totally get where you're coming from.

I find myself very disappointed with various points of the story, the plots, the relationships... (but I also admit that it's partly my guilt for having certain expectations).

Yeah totally. I think the first step is realizing you have expectations, right? There's nothing wrong with expectations, we all have them. But think of how your expectations are affecting your experience of the story.

Take a bird eye's view of jjk right now and consider how jjk is working with your own psychology.

Expectations that are not met = suffering and from suffering comes growth.

It's a process... idk how old you are but I went through this whole realization about how my expectations were influencing my perspective and life in my late 20s.

So, all I can say is: what if you approached jjk with the full understanding that it could suck just as much as it could be great? How would that change your expectations? Can you hold the tension of opposites?

If you decide you still don't like it, then it is what it is.

Also, maybe when you do a re-read, perhaps next year or a couple of years later, you might find that the Culling Game arc is a lot more enjoyable when you binge read it.

Have you read chapter 222? ***I must say I'm surprised that Gege decided to jump to December 24 already***

I have to admit that lately things have felt wonky for me in the way Gege is executing. jjk has always been fast paced but right now it feels super rushed.

My friend Danchou made a good point about this on twitter (sorry can't find the tweet): When Shibuya rolled around, events unfolded pretty quickly on the lead up to October 31st.

Regardless, it does feel like Gege is rushing through details he could have expanded upon, doesn't it?

It's like there's several plot points that normally he would have taken the time to elaborate upon and flesh out that he's now only showing in passing because he probably realizes he needs to mention them for plot purposes.

Now... thing is, he's been using non-linear story-telling for some time now. So there's the possibility we'll get flashbacks that show all of this in more detail.

We can only be patient until then.

Bahaha yes, apparently it's a major question by many EP enthusiasts--was Re-L inspired by Amy Lee 🤣.

Omg you'll have to tell me what you think! Even if what you think is "uh, I can't get through this" 😂. You wouldn't be the first to think that because some of those episodes in the middle are just so slow moving and a bit of a drag to get through because they are heavily intellectual.

But hopefully you do manage to experience the magic in Ergo Proxy!

You might find JJK's writing is similar to Ergo Proxy in that both authors rely on symbols to tell a meta-story and give clues about the deeper dynamics in the story. That is not to mention that Ergo Proxy's author, Shuuko Murase, has very clearly been influenced by Jungian Psychology.

But more importantly, one of the reasons I love Ergo Proxy is because, even if I don't fully grasp it on an intellectual level, it does something to me on an existential level that I cannot explain.

All I can say is that Ergo Proxy is an initiatory experience that is near and dear to my heart.

Ehem... ok that's it for the word vomit.

Thanks for stopping by again and sharing the thoughts! Looking forward to hearing from you again 🫶🏼.

#ask the mental gymnastics anime girl #god I love jujutsu kaisen

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psychewritesbs · 3 years ago

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hey hey! firstly, i only recently found your blog and just wow! i am amazed. it is so fascinating! secondly, i read your blog description and it got me curious about Jungian psychology (i have to admit i know very little about a subject i find so intriguing). could you point me to some books or reading material on the subject (if it's not too much to ask)

Hola! First, thanks for the kind comments.

Second...

Not too much to ask at all!

If anything, the fact that someone is asking me for book recs on the subject makes me so happy. Jung is highly underrated because his work was, and continues to be, ahead of his time.

To put Jung’s Psych in a few words...

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.

Welcome to the fascinating world of Depth Psychology!

But first... a quick word on Mainstream Psych.

Mainstream Psych mostly considers Jung’s work too ��woo woo” or “New Agey” to be legitimately studied in an academic setting. But again, that’s only because back at the turn of the century, Jung was asking the questions that mainstream Psych is only beginning to ask today.

When it comes down to reading recs, it really depends on what interests you about Jungian Psych.

The meaning of life?

Soulful living?

Dream analysis and interpretation?

Shadow work? (Jujutsu Kaisen’s Megumi is doing his fair share of shadow work during the current arc in JJK).

The structure of the Psyche? aka soul, ego, mind, body, the collective unconscious, etc.

Religion and mythology and how we are unconsciously playing out myths in our daily lives?

Individuation? aka personal development and how it happens

Symbolism in the tarot and how it relates to the progression and evolution of the human mind?

Alchemy? aka that science that is not legit according to chemistry

Synchronicity? aka coincidences that are not coincidences at all or hitsuzen

The relationship between neuroscience, early child development, and archetypes? My master’s thesis focused on this 🤓

You get the point.

Jung’s Psychology is esoteric af and acknowledges the deeper, unseen aspects of life.

All subjects that mainstream Psych does not like to touch even with a 10-foot pole.

Take your pick. The world of Jung’s Psych is your oyster.

A good place to start

I highly recommend you check out jungplatform.com.

This website was created by a therapist who found he had an affinity to Jung’s Psychology.

While they sell courses, they also host free webinar summits from time to time that I’ve found super invaluable. I would follow them on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter so that you can get a notification of when they host the next summit.

Uberboyo on Youtube makes videos about Jungian concepts. They are long, but he is so passionate about the subject that it is easy to engage with his content.

Recommended authors

Generalists

When I earned my master’s degree through Saybrook University, I was very fortunate to get to study under James Hollis, one of the biggest names in Jungian Psych.

The man is truly a national treasure and deep source of knowledge. He doesn’t just lecture about Jungian Psych, he gets it and lives it. His books are a great place to start because they are really easy to read and thought-provoking. I don’t have a specific book in mind because I’ve only read two of them and can’t remember their names. I’d say go look at the titles of his books and pick the one that interests you most.

Another author I really love is Robert Johnson. My most recent purchase by him was his book on shadow work but I’ve also read We, She and He. Not sure if I’ve read Inner Work but it would make sense that I have because the subject is right up my alley.

Another big name in Jungian circles is James Hillman. However, I’ve always had a really hard time reading Hillman.

Marion Woodman and Jean Shinoda Bolen are all amazing and bring a more feminine perspective into the field. Marion Woodman in specific tries to bring the body into the equation since Jungian Psych can get pretty mental.

Dreamwork and Mythology

If you are into dreams, then you cannot miss Robert Moss.

Although I have not read his work, Steve Aizenstat (the founder of Pacifica University, one of the few places you can study Jung in an academic setting), also has a fascinating perspective on the matter.

Stanley Krippner was another instructor at Saybrook whose work I enjoyed reading. I got to read The Mythic Path by him.

Marie Louise von Franz, who actually got to study under Jung himself, has a great book on the psychological analysis of fairy tales.

Women who run with the wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés is a great example on how myths live through us and how awakening to these subconscious forces can help us live better lives.

If you want to read Jung himself

I highly recommend you read some of the authors I mentioned above first.

Why?

Jung is hard to read. Like... really hard.

Not because it’s hard to understand what he writes about, but because he rambles on and on and on and on and on (like yours truly, Jung is a master at vomiting words) and goes in circles to explain a specific point. Once he makes his point, however, you feel like the effort of reading the ramble was well worth it.

So, if you are up for the challenge:

Modern man in search of Soul is a good introductory book.

Memories, dreams, reflections is a sort of mini auto-biography.

His collected works books are massive but they are the main source of information about his theories. I recommend:

Archetypes and the collective unconscious

Synchronicity: an acausal connecting principle

Psychology and Alchemy

The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga (as a Yoga teacher and Kundalini Yoga practitioner, I especially loved this one)

Psychology and Religion

Dream analysis

Finally...

The Red Book is probably not the best book to get started with because this is basically a collection of his private journals. So if he rambles in his other books, this book is wordvomit.com on steroids. And yet, this is a beloved book by all Jungian Psychologists because, story has it, when Jung thought he had become Psychotic/Schizophrenic, he started writing his experiences down. When he “regained his composure,” his journal entries became the basis for his own theories of Psychology.

In conclusion...

I hope this helps!

I think if I could sum up Jungian Psych in a short phrase I would say that Jungian Psych wants to help you understand your own mind and the unconscious influences that direct your thinking. Becoming aware of these influences is what makes for a richer, more fulfilling life.

This is one of the things that sets his Psychology apart from mainstream Psych. In other words, Jung was a huge advocate for the study of the Soul (Psyche) and saw the ego mind as one of the “structures” within the Soul.

In other words, Carl Jung put the Psyche (Soul) back into Psychology.

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

Carl G. Jung

#a to the q!#carl jung #tell me you're a nerd without telling me you're a nerd #psycheology

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