Inflation
“Inflation
applies to balloons, economics—and psychology. [Carl] Jung defined it as being ‘seized
by archetypal energy resulting in a puffed-up attitude, loss of free will,
delusion, enthusiasm for good and evil alike.’ Inflation is more than a ‘swelled
head’ because the influx of unconscious contents leads to identification with
god-like powers.”
This
Jungian Life; Episode 146—Inflation: The Challenge of Archetypal Possession)
We
think of inflation as grandiosity, as being “full of oneself.” We’re used to
such people bragging about themselves and acting superior to everyone around
them. We especially see this in celebrity politicians—the ones who love to be in
front of a camera. There are authorities—like Dr. Fauci—who wield their power
with humility, and there are authorities who wield it with arrogance. The difference is stark.
Rarely
do we realize that inflation has another face: self-sacrificial suffering. We
know people who have a reputation for being “ever giving,” who donate their life
to others, or to a cause, to the detriment of their own health and well-being. Mother
Teresa comes instantly to mind for me. The common denominator is feeling oneself
in possession of god-like powers, or as having a special relationship to God, for
example, as “the handmaiden of God.” We see a lot of politicians and televangelists
who possess this sort of inflation. For example, to say to a crowd before a camera,
“I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue, and shoot somebody and
still get elected,” is a kind of grandiosity rarely seen. Other people may think
it, but they have sense enough not to speak it out loud.
We all
share various levels of inflation. If we have studied extensively in one area
or another, we may consider ourselves an “expert,” and take offense when someone
questions our authority. If we have dedicated our life to taking care of
others, we may feel insulted when they inform us that they do not require our
services anymore. In either case, the inner response may be, “how dare you!” Most
of us feel in our heart of hearts that our children “owe” us something, though
we rarely say it. It is expressed as “disappointment” or “hurt” when they have
the audacity to live their own lives as they choose.
There
are other ways, according to This Jungian Life podcast, in which inflation is
expressed unconsciously. They include, “unrealistic risk taking, frenzied
activity, spiritual illusion, feelings of entitlement, and our collective excesses.” Inflation
is often exercised in controlling behavior, giving unwanted advice, and in the
attitude, “if you would just listen to me, this would be taken care of.”
I lay
claim to a number of these behaviors, believe me. I wonder whether you do, too.
The antidote to inflation is of course, humility—genuine “humility, service and
love” according to This Jungian Life. Sometimes we receive acknowledgment for those
qualities, and sometimes we do not. I think of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, and their
work with Habitat for Humanity. They are recognized for it, but that is not the
reason for their dedication. And then, I think about all the young people who
just about kill themselves racking up “community service” projects to add to
their college applications. That is a means to an end; understandable, but still
self-serving. The difference is Love—when we work at something with love, we do
not need or want praise for it. It’s nice when it happens, but the work itself
is the ultimate reward.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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