The concept of shadow, however, is likely to not only remain nonyielding in Jungian psychology but also become even more relevant given the polarization and seeming presence of “evil” forces in contemporary societies. A related Jungian concept might also become more relevant: “the brighter the light, the deeper the shadow.” It might have been some of the major advances (“bright light”) in our understanding of and support for differences in human behavior that has arisen since World War II has produced a “backlash” (“shadow”) regarding hatred of people who are different from ourselves. The emergence of freedom (“bright light’) in many societies during the past half century may also have produced a desire (“shadow”) to escape the responsibilities of this freedom (Bergquist, Weitz and Pomerantz, 2026).
Dreams
Kurt Jung was not alone in using dreams in his work as an executive coach. Dreams have been used by Deirdre Barrett in her work with organizational leaders (Barrett, 2001). Barrett writes about the Committee of Dreams:
“For centuries, creativity was seen as beyond man, a gift from the gods. . . . Freud’s emphasis on dreaming as “the royal road to the unconscious” brought it into this same realm. Dreams typically play [the role of “inspiration.”] . . . Any break from concentrated problem solving may allow a misleading assumption to dissipate. But the sleeping mind abandons conventional logic most completely to pursue novel approaches. How does the Committee do this? Neurology suggests that dreaming is simply the mind thinking in a different biochemical model.” [Barrett, 2001, p. 184]
We see in Mitch’s two dreams the operation of several important dynamics. First, the dream can make use of insight-filled metaphors (such as journey). Second, the dream can challenge and provide new understanding of our interpersonal relationships (Fromm, 1951). Third, we find the process of “inoculation” operating in many dreams. A threatening force or intrusive event occurs in the dream, yet we survive this force or event and are “fortified” to confront a similar force or event in our waking life. Each of these capacities of a dream can lead to new thoughts and directions in confronting daily problems. Dreams can even be engaged to address fundamental “focal problems” in our life (French and Fromm, 1964).
Change
Kurt Jung brought up an important concept during one of the final sessions with Mitch Lauridsen. This concept concerned the distinction to be drawn between two forms of change: Transitional and transformational. Transitional change refers to multiple alterations that take place over time. In many cases, transitional changes are not even noticed, until someone arrives on the scene who has not witnessed what has been occurring on a daily basis. We see this occurring when people who haven’t been seen for a while, comment on the major changes in the physical appearance of our growing child. We also see transitions operating in the famed case of the frog who fails to jump out of the pot of water that is gradually heating. The frog is cooked, just as many other gradual transitions eventually lead to an untenable condition that can’t be altered (“it’s too late”).
