KEEP THE OLD WARM

In the case of psychological suffering, which always isolates the individual from the herd of so-called normal people, it is of the greatest importance to understand that the conflict is not a personal failure only, but at the same time a suffering common to all and a problem with which the whole epoch is burdened. This general point of view lifts the individual out of himself and connects him with humanity. – Carl Jung Psychological Reflections: The Individual and the Community #4

It is common wisdom to hear that we are all going through the same things. Yet, it is hard to feel this wisdom in our hearts.

Personal, psychological suffering – depression, waking up every day connected to an inner, heavy suffering – isolates us. We are constantly looking inward, hearing, feeling, all that goes on inside with sharp sensitivity and unable to live without it. We are feeling our individuality in all its pain.

This type of suffering is breaking down the “normal” individuality so that a true individuality can form, because true individuality is a paradox – knowing you are a unique individual among many in a great community. Individuality is non-existent without community.

This suffering, this individuation, is unforgettable because it always becomes intertwined with deep empathy for the world. We feel the same suffering that is carried by everyone in shared silence. We are thus lifted out of our isolated suffering and connected to humanity’s.

To know another is to know their suffering. To share in it together is community. There, sharing in suffering together, is where seeds of love and joy find soil to grow.