Reflections on PROJECTION: personal, interpersonal, group, national

I’m amazed that a deep understanding of “projection” is still not widespread in society. How do I know? On a walk with a very smart friend a few days ago, I discovered that she had no idea that what she perceives as her ex-husband’s flaws are actually lodged deeply within her own self! And yes, she was utterly shocked when I mentioned it.

Remembering back to when I first heard of the concept: back in the late ’60s, when I was in graduate school, and a friend of mine was in psychoanalysis. Luckily, I asked her about it when I heard her use this word, “projection,” in what to me, was a weird way.

Ever since then, I’ve gone around the world more or less aware that whatever I’m perceiving in the outer world, especially whatever I’m perceiving emotionally, instinctively, is a reflection of what’s going on inside me.

I didn’t need to go through psychoanalysis to come to this understanding, thanks to my friend.

The word “projection” was first used psychologically by Sigmund Freud.

However, it was C.G. Jung who developed the concept to the point where it is utterly useful in both understanding our inner lives and navigating the world.

I just asked Gemini AI: “What did Jung add to Freud’s notion of projection?”

And got this. Bingo.

Can you imagine how the world would change if “projection,” as Jung understood it, was taught in schools? Was discussed by lovers, in families and among friends?  Entered into national negotiations with other nations? On and on. There is nothing, no so-called “evil” that won’t dissolve when brought under this internal spotlight.

And notice: Whoever or whatever gets labeled as “bad,” or “evil” becomes the “scapegoat.”

Asking Gemini AI: “What is Jung’s notion of scapegoat?”

And got this:

Remember back to the “Russia Russia Russia” days?  For how long did Russia carry the collective shadow? Or, I should say perhaps, how long has Russia been carrying the collective shadow? For it’s nowhere near done.

Again, I asked Gemini AI:

And surprise! The finger points both ways. “Russia has actively shared a dual collective shadow with the United States for roughly 80 years.”

I’d like to think things have changed. But have they? And what will it take for them to truly change? I’d say we need to start, right here, at home, inside the self, paying attention to who or what we tend to at least “dislike,” and possibly “hate,” recognizing that what we perceive in the outside world is a projection of an aspect of our own self that exists in denial.

As we do this, we engage in a truly remarkable discovery process that simply goes on and on, because, of course, no matter how long we live, we are always seeing in the outside world both what we like and what we dislike.

It’s the “dislikes” that hide the gold.