The Conscious Realm - Introduction To The Persona
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While last week featured the unconscious shadow within us all, this week is all about the conscious persona.
“The persona is a complicated system of relations between individual consciousness and society, fittingly enough a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and to conceal the true nature of one”
- C. G. Jung
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The word persona was derived from Latin, meaning theatrical mask. This psychological principle represents the public image (mask) that one projects (wears) around others. It is our attempt to “fit-in”.
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In order to understand the persona, you need to understand the ego. The ego is our conscious, thinking mind. It is the decision maker. It is a great gift but it also has its limiting aspects. Especially when the ego becomes attached to the persona...
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This persona is necessary for certain public interactions. The problem begins when one begins to identify themselves as this image and it becomes inflated.
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The persona is the opposite of the shadow. The shadow is what we do not wish to show the world or ourselves, whereas the persona is who we wish to display to the world or ourselves. They are interconnected....
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The larger the persona, the larger the shadow. Hence, the further away you are from your true self.
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Think about celebrities. Many portray an image to society that may be different from who they truly are. Another example is found on some social media accounts. Many display an image they wish others to perceive them as. Both lead to dissonance with oneself, led by the desire for acceptance of others and, ultimately, yourself.
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This series will continue with specific examples of different masks the persona creates.
"Whoever looks into the mirror of the water will see first of all his own face. Whoever goes to himself risks a confrontation with himself. The mirror does not flatter, it faithfully shows whatever looks into it; namely, the face we never show to the world because we cover it with the persona, the mask of the actor”
