“The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.”
- July 26, 1875 – June 6, 1961
- Born in Switzerland
- Psychiatrist and psychologist
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Quote
“The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.”
Explanation
In this quote, Carl Jung emphasizes the transformative power of conflict in personal and psychological growth. He suggests that the most intense struggles—whether internal or external—when overcome, lead to a profound sense of security and calm that is more stable and enduring than the peace found without challenge. The conflict itself, often accompanied by emotional turmoil or psychological fire, is necessary to forge deeper, more resilient aspects of the self. Jung’s view reflects his broader understanding of the process of individuation, where personal growth comes not from avoiding difficulty but from engaging with and integrating it. In this way, inner conflict serves as a crucible, refining the individual and producing lasting change.
Historically, Jung saw intense personal and existential conflicts as a natural and essential part of life, especially for individuals striving for psychological integration. This idea echoes his belief in the shadow, the unconscious parts of the self that must be confronted and assimilated. When individuals face their darkest aspects—whether through trauma, inner turmoil, or difficult life circumstances—they can emerge from the experience with a sense of wholeness and inner strength that would not be possible without such challenges. This perspective aligns with many philosophical and spiritual traditions that hold that adversity is necessary for growth, echoing themes in Stoicism and Buddhism, where suffering is seen as a pathway to greater wisdom and peace.
In contemporary psychology, this idea resonates with the concept of post-traumatic growth, which suggests that people who face and overcome significant life challenges—such as trauma, grief, or loss—often develop greater emotional resilience, empathy, and a deeper sense of purpose. In therapy, clients are encouraged to face conflict or suffering directly, as avoiding or repressing difficult emotions can lead to greater psychological distress. Jung’s quote invites us to view conflict not as something to be feared or avoided, but as an opportunity to transform and emerge with lasting psychological benefits, including a sense of calm that is not easily disturbed by future challenges.
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