We Are Constantly Living on the Edge of a Volcano
The change of character brought about by the uprush of collective forces is amazing.
A gentle and reasonable being can be transformed into a maniac or a savage beast.
One is always inclined to lay the blame on external circumstances, but nothing could explode in us if it had not been there.
As a matter of fact, we are constantly living on the edge of a volcano, and there is, so far as we know, no way of protecting ourselves from a possible outburst that will destroy everybody within reach.
It is certainly a good thing to preach reason and common sense, but what if you have a lunatic asylum for an audience or a crowd in a collective frenzy?
There is not much difference between them because the madman and the mob are both moved by impersonal, overwhelming forces.
Psychology and Religion (1938)
Collected Works 11
P. 25
Psyche and Eros: The Mysterious Husband Louis-Jean-François…….Psyche Surprising the Sleeping…
The Wedding of Psyche to Death Edward Burne-Jones…….The Wedding of…
The Birth of Venus, the Birth of Psyche Pompei, Casa…
The turmoil that is the natural environment is linked directly to man’s consciousness: Dually individualized and collective. Our external environment is a reflection of internal mind reality. The ignorant and emotionally fixated will try to establish man’s reality as one at the mercy of climate change hinged to the behavior by man. This is erroneous. As above so below: as outside so within: This is truth. As man separates from the environment of his ancestors and moves around the planet he brings his unconscious mind along. This mind reflects the climate of his ancient ancestry. Forests turn to sand. Ice bergs, rivers, seas, counteract the displacement triggered by mind out of their natural geographic context. Mind of man is all. There is no external mechanism at play beyond the mind of man. Man must play out their destiny within the environment they are born into.