Reflection 1: On the video essay “The Only War You Will Not Win” by Horses.
The Iceberg
The human subconscious is a peculiar concept. It manages the majority of our mental activityââhabits, memories, emotions, and automatic functions like walking and breathing. Operating beneath our conscious mind, itinfluences our decision-making and behaviors, shaping our reactions to the world based on stored past experiences. Psychologist Sigmund Freud famously described it as an iceberg, where the top portion is our conscious mind and the bottom is the subconscious. He suggests that unresolved conflicts between the two could lead to unhealthy mental states, like anxiety and depression. Psychiatrist Carl Jung expands upon this by suggesting that the subconscious harbors aspects that people disdain about themselves, something that is referred to as a âshadowâ.
The Shadow
The concept of the âshadow” comes from Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and physiotherapist known for founding analytical psychology, where he explores the integration of the conscious and subconscious mind in pursuit of âindividuationâ ââthe development of self. He believes that everyone carries facets of themselves that they donât want to acceptââthings like fear, selfishness, and anger. He thinks that rather than repressing these traits in hopes that they will go away, we should learn to recognize, understand and integrate these shadowed parts into our conscious lives.
The Battle
The real challenge begins with choosing to reflect upon these repressions. What makes this idea so powerful is how we think about personal growth. Many of us want to be good peopleââkind, thoughtful, empatheticââand we think that means ridding ourselves of the negative parts. True wholeness doesnât come from rejecting our flawsââbut understanding them and choosing how you act despite having them. Everyone has moments of embarrassment, thoughts and impulses theyâd rather avoid. The âbattleâ isn’t about erasing these partsâârather, it’s about acknowledging them without letting them define you.
The Choice
This kind of reflection extends outwards as wellââas everyone everywhere has to live with the consciousness of their flaws, their own âshadowsâ. A kindness we can grant is to be compassionate towards othersâ flaws. Instead of seeing mistakes as proof that a person is bad, we could see them as part of being humanââimperfect, often messy, but capable of growth. It doesnât excuse harmful behavior, but it allows space for empathy and understanding. We all have the choice, not to cleanse our faults, but to be better, kinder, openââto other people, the world, and ourselves. Love a little more.
Photo by me, artist unknown