Empowerment Part 1 : Conscious Behavior vs Subconscious Programming

Empowerment Through Individuation:

A Jungian Perspective

Who are you?

Not your name, not your job, not the roles you play in life, but at your core—who are you?

If that question feels difficult to answer, you're not alone. Much of what we believe about ourselves comes from the outside world—our upbringing, culture, expectations placed upon us. But true empowerment comes when we stop simply accepting these external definitions and start uncovering the truth for ourselves.

Today, we’ll explore how Carl Jung’s concept of individuation can help us reclaim our inner power. This isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about transformation. So, let’s start by questioning what we think we know."

The Masks We Wear and the Depths We Ignore

Have you ever caught yourself acting differently depending on who you're with? Maybe you present one version of yourself at work, another with family, and another when you're alone. Jung called this our persona—the mask we wear to fit into society. But if we spend too much time wearing the mask, we risk forgetting who we are underneath it.

Now, I challenge you to ask yourself:

When am I being my truest self?

When am I performing a role because I think it’s expected of me?

On the other hand, there are parts of ourselves we try to bury—our fears, insecurities, or impulses we’ve been taught to reject. Jung called this our shadow.

But what if I told you that some of your greatest strengths are hidden within that darkness? That the qualities you suppress might actually hold the key to your power? What parts of yourself have you been told to hide?

What emotions or desires make you uncomfortable, and why?

Facing these questions is where empowerment begins.

The Anima and Animus: Balancing the Inner Self

Jung also introduced the ideas of the Anima and Animus—the unconscious feminine aspect in men and the unconscious masculine aspect in women. But these are not rigid gender roles; they are deeper energies within all of us.

The Anima represents intuition, emotion, creativity, and connection to the unconscious. The Animus represents logic, action, assertiveness, and structure. When unbalanced, these energies can control us without us even realizing it.

For example, if a person is too dominated by their Animus, they might rely only on rigid logic and suppress their emotions. If someone is too consumed by their Anima, they might be overwhelmed by emotions without the ability to take decisive action.

So, ask yourself:

Which energy feels stronger in me?

Which do I neglect?

How could I integrate both to become more balanced and whole?


True empowerment is not about rejecting one side but about embracing all parts of ourselves.

Breaking Free from Parroting and Conditioning

How often do we repeat what we’ve been told without questioning it? How much of our identity is built on beliefs we’ve never examined?

Have you ever defended an idea or belief, not because you deeply understood it, but because it was what you were taught?


Jung believed that individuation requires us to stop living passively—simply absorbing the opinions, values, and behaviors of others—and instead to question our own motives. We must go beyond surface-level understanding and look within ourselves.

Setting Boundaries Against Fear, Shame, and the Inner Critic

As we walk the path of individuation, we will encounter resistance—not just from others, but from within ourselves.

The Inner Critic

"The inner critic is that voice that whispers:

You’re not good enough.

You’re going to fail.

Who do you think you are to change?


The inner critic thrives on negative self-talk and false narratives. It tells you that you are small, unworthy, or incapable—not because it is true, but because it is familiar.

Setting Boundaries

Empowerment means setting boundaries—not just with others, but with the beliefs that no longer serve us.

Recognize the voice of the inner critic. When you hear it, pause and ask: Is this thought true? Would I say this to someone I love?

Challenge false narratives. If you were told as a child that you were ‘too much’ or ‘not enough,’ ask: Is this belief serving me, or is it keeping me stuck?

Refuse to accept shame as truth. Ask: Do I feel guilty because I have done something wrong, or because someone wants me to stay small?

Define yourself, for yourself. You do not owe anyone the version of yourself that makes them comfortable.


True empowerment is reclaiming the power over our own minds.

Journaling Exercise: Questioning the Self

To integrate today’s discussion, take time to reflect on these questions:

1. Who am I when no one is watching?


2. What parts of myself do I hide from others, and why?


3. What beliefs do I hold that I have never truly questioned?


4. Do my fears belong to me, or were they given to me by someone else?


5. How much of my identity is based on external expectations rather than internal truth?


6. When have I ignored my own intuition in favor of fitting in?


7. What emotions or traits have I been taught to suppress?


8. What labels have others placed on me that I no longer wish to accept?


9. Where in my life do I need to set firmer boundaries?


10. What is one step I can take today to reclaim my own power?



Individuation is not about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to ask the right questions.

If you would like to take part in our upcoming discussion this Sunday please join our Discord channel Universal Harmony Inc. My username is Denise.UHG . Thank you. We look forward to seeing you there.