11/07/2025
The quote, “The art of letting things happen, action through non-action, letting go of oneself… became for me the key to my entire art of living,” comes from Carl Jung’s autobiographical work, Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1962, p. 323).
It captures a profound principle in Jung’s psychological and philosophical outlook, reflecting his approach to living authentically and working with the psyche. This idea draws heavily on Jung’s engagement with Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, and aligns with his concepts of individuation, the unconscious, and patience.
Below, I’ll explain the quote in depth, connecting it to Jung’s broader theories, the role of emotions, and its relevance to psychological growth and family dynamics.
Breaking Down the Quote “The art of letting things happen”:
Carl Jung suggests that psychological growth and authentic living require a receptive, patient attitude toward the psyche’s natural processes. Instead of forcing outcomes or controlling the unconscious, one must allow insights, emotions, and transformations to emerge organically.
This “art” involves trusting the psyche’s wisdom, which often reveals itself through dreams, emotions, or synchronicities. For Jung, this was not passivity but an active choice to refrain from over-interference, allowing the unconscious to guide the path toward wholeness.
“Action through non-action”:
This phrase echoes the Taoist concept of wu wei, which Jung studied through texts like The Secret of the Golden Flower (to which he contributed a commentary).
'Wu wei' translates to “non-action” or “effortless action,” meaning acting in harmony with the natural flow of life rather than imposing one’s will. In Jung’s psychology, this means working with, rather than against, the unconscious. For example, instead of suppressing intense emotions like anger or fear, one patiently observes and engages with them to uncover their meaning, leading to transformative insights.
“Letting go of oneself”:
This refers to relinquishing the ego’s need for control, certainty, or dominance. The ego, in Jung’s view, is the conscious self, often rigid and resistant to the unconscious. Letting go means surrendering to the larger psyche, including its darker or unknown aspects (e.g., the Shadow or archetypes). This process is central to individuation, where one integrates conscious and unconscious elements to become a whole, authentic self. It requires humility and trust in the psyche’s deeper currents.
“The key to my entire art of living”:
For Carl Jung, this approach—embracing patience, non-interference, and surrender to the psyche’s flow—was not just a therapeutic technique but a way of life. It shaped how he approached his own psychological struggles, relationships, and creative work, allowing him to live in alignment with his true self and the collective unconscious.
Context in Jung’s Psychology.
This quote reflects Jung’s broader philosophy, particularly his emphasis on: Individuation, the lifelong process of integrating the conscious and unconscious to achieve psychological wholeness.
Letting things happen means trusting the psyche’s timing, as archetypes and complexes surface through emotions, dreams, or life events. Patience is crucial here, as forcing integration can disrupt this natural unfolding.
The Role of Emotions: Jung saw emotions as vital signals from the unconscious. The “art of letting things happen” applies to emotions by encouraging individuals to sit with feelings like grief or joy, rather than repressing or acting on them impulsively. For example, a patient experiencing intense anger might use active imagination to explore its roots, uncovering a repressed Shadow aspect, which encourage growth.
Eastern Influence: Jung’s study of Taoism and other Eastern philosophies shaped this idea. He admired the Taoist principle of aligning with the Tao (the natural way) rather than resisting it. In therapy, this translates to helping patients trust their psyche’s process, even when it feels chaotic or uncertain.
Practical implications Jung’s “art of letting things happen” has practical applications in psychological work and daily life. In Therapy, Carl Jung encouraged patients to approach their unconscious material (dreams, emotions, symbols) with curiosity and patience, rather than forcing interpretations or solutions. For example, a patient might explore a recurring dream through active imagination, allowing its meaning to emerge over time.
In Personal Growth, this principle suggests embracing uncertainty and trusting life’s unfolding. For instance, instead of rigidly planning one’s career or relationships, one might remain open to unexpected opportunities, guided by intuition or emotional cues.
In Emotional Processing, rather than suppressing emotions (e.g., fear or sadness), one practices “non-action” by observing them without immediate reaction, allowing their deeper significance to surface. This aligns with Jung’s view that “emotion is the chief source of all becoming-conscious” (Psychological Types, 1921).
Connection to Family Dynamics.
Family relationships often involve intense emotions and projections (e.g., seeing a partner as the Anima/Animus or a child as a projection of one’s Shadow).
Applying “action through non-action” in families means: Patience with emotional conflicts, instead of reacting impulsively to family disputes, one might pause and reflect, allowing emotions to reveal underlying psychological patterns (e.g., a parent’s frustration with a child might reflect their own unresolved issues).
Fostering growth in others, by letting go of control, family members can allow each other’s individuation processes to unfold naturally, supporting authentic relationships. Example: A parent practicing “letting things happen” might patiently listen to a child’s emotional outburst, helping them explore its meaning rather than enforcing discipline, thus strengthening family bonds.
Jung’s Perspective on Discipline.
Jung saw discipline as a necessary component of psychological work, but he framed it as a balanced, mindful effort rather than a forceful or repressive act. It involved the conscious application of effort to engage with the unconscious (through dreams, active imagination, or emotional exploration) while maintaining an attitude of patience and openness, as discussed through his concept of “action through non-action”. Balanced discipline (where rigidity is out of the equation), as Carl Jung noted, is essential for individuation—the process of integrating conscious and unconscious aspects of the self—and for navigating the emotional and relational challenges that arise in personal and family life.
Example in Jung’s Life.
Carl Jung himself practiced this “art” in his own psychological work. In Memories, Dreams, Reflections, he describes his confrontation with the unconscious during a period of intense emotional turmoil after his break with Freud. By engaging with his dreams and visions through active imagination—without forcing outcomes—he allowed profound archetypes (e.g., Philemon*) to emerge, shaping his theories and personal growth. This patient, receptive approach became central to his life and work.
Why It Matters.
This quote: ''The art of letting things happen, action through non-action, letting go of oneself… became for me the key to my entire art of living,” encapsulates Jung’s belief that true growth comes from aligning with the psyche’s natural flow, rather than imposing ego-driven control. This approach applies not only to individuals pursuing individuation but also to life’s external experiences, such as those in the world beyond our control.
In brief, it’s a call to know ourselves through the art of patience, trust the unconscious, and let go of rigid expectations—a principle that applies to emotional processing, personal development, and relationships. In the context of emotions, this approach underscores the importance of sitting with feelings, allowing their deeper meaning to guide one toward individuation.
Emotions, in Carl Jung’s view, are profound forces bridging the conscious and unconscious, driving individuation—the journey toward psychological wholeness. Far beyond mere reactions, they signal complexes and archetypes, like **Philemon, the Wise Old Man archetype who guided Jung’s self-discovery through active imagination.
Unlike Freud, who tied emotions to personal drives (e.g., libido), Jung saw them as universal, connecting to the collective unconscious. Jung’s views on emotions align with Manly P. Hall’s perspective.
Emotions are complex. They require disciplined patience to explore; when we do face our emotions in a conscious way (confronting them instead of suppressing), they promotes growth and healthier family dynamics by resolving projections. Philemon’s role illustrates how emotions, when consciously engaged, reveal timeless wisdom, transforming personal and collective experiences.
