Humility and its role for healing in the work of C.G. Jung and Kurt Schwitters

Abstract

Humility of universal value. It pervades different layers of human existence. Examples abide in religion, in psychology, and art. Its presence offers rich sources of material and interesting parallels with Jung’s writings. Humility is unfortunately generally viewed as a weakness to the point of ridicule. In this view it is something to be avoided, hidden, rejected, or in some cases concealed by the opposite attitude such as false humility. In Jungian Psychology this weakness belongs to the shadow side of personality and is related to ego defenses. This is why Jung views humility as the acceptance of the shadow and considers it necessary for healing in the process of individuation. The immediate parallel is to be found in the words of St. Paul Cor. 12,9; “my power is manifest in weakness”; referring to the kind of weakness which means being completely supple, transparent, and abandoned to the power that goes beyond our conscious mind.