Jung in Ireland 2025

The Other: The Role of Projection

What in our psyche might be activated when we encounter someone who clearly fits into the description of “Other” or “Outlier”? What archetype or archetypal image might manifest itself in our Unconscious and set in motion a range of emotions — from a judgmental attitude motivating us to keep our distance and refrain from engagement, attraction, caution, or even fear? What projections might we have when we interact with someone who seems so different from us and our way of life — someone of another race, religion, sexual orientation or even political views? When dealing with projections, it is important that we understand what is being galvanized in our own Unconscious. Otherwise, these projections might overwhelm us and lead to premature judgment and stereotyping. Such projections may prompt us to cut off the possibility of a fruitful relationship or, sadly, have the potential for us to act impulsively and set in motion what might turn out to be a destructive association.

From Jung’s perspective, consciousness often begins through projection; it is a way we learn who we are. Encountering the “other” in ourselves — what Jung calls the Shadow within us — is an important psychological tool to help us individuate and become more conscious. It helps us understand not only ourselves, but understand and accept others who are different from us and may have much to offer. Moreover, when we use the term “other” we may also be referring to “outliers” — individuals who don’t easily fit into society, though society’s attitude towards them can be positive or pejorative.

In this regard, seen from a positive perspective, Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers defines outliers as people who don’t fit into society’s category as “normal” yet achieve success in ways that have contributed to society in their own way and on their own terms. For example, some of the outstanding and important figures in history could be termed outliers, including Joan of Arc, Mozart, Marie Curie, George Eliot, Thomas Edison, and Steve Jobs to name a few. Or, closer to home, Jung himself, often dismissed as a mystic by mainstream psychology, might also be described as an outlier. Alternatively, in his book Stigma, Erving Goffman, a highly respected social psychologist and writer, identifies different types of individuals who he categorized as “others” and are often stigmatized, including immigrants, those with physical handicaps and those suffering from addiction, alcoholism, or mental disorders.

During the course of this program with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, we will examine Jung’s perspective on the role projection and shadow play in our own lives. Finally, and most importantly, we will explore this theme in an attempt to understand what we might gain from finding the “Other” or “Outlier” in ourselves.