What is the “Self” in Jungian Terms—and How Do We Access It?
With all the “self” talk going on in the depth psychology field, one might be forgiven for assuming that we promote a kind of egocentrism to be avoided at all costs. However, this notion couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Self: More Than Ego or Just “Being Yourself”
In Jungian psychology, there is a deeper you, known as the Self. Not your ego, not your personality—but the full expression of who you truly are and were always meant to be. Jung described the Self as the totality of the psyche—the wholeness that includes both what we consciously identify with and what we’ve yet to discover about ourselves. He said, “the Self is our life’s goal, for it is the completest expression of that fateful combination we call individuality.”
If the ego is the part of us that says, “This is who I am,” the Self is the quiet voice that says, “Hang on, there’s more…”
The Self often shows up as an inner compass—a subtle pull toward people, places, or experiences that feel inexplicably “right.” It can emerge as a spiritual longing, a deep curiosity, or an ache to live with more meaning and integrity. It rarely settles.
How the Self Speaks to Us
Unlike the ego, the Self doesn’t shout. It speaks in the language of symbol, emotion, and felt truth. According to Jungian psychology, here’s how it often makes itself known:
Dreams – Symbols and characters in dreams often represent parts of the psyche calling for integration or balance. Recurring dream figures, powerful archetypes, or mysterious landscapes may be your Self attempting to guide you. (You can read more about dream analysis and the unconscious here).
Synchronicities – Those meaningful coincidences that feel charged with significance can be interpreted as messages from the Self. Not because they’re “magic,” but because they reflect inner transformation through outer mirrors. Jung worked closely with physicist Wolfgang Pauli to explore the science of synchronicity. You can learn more about the evidence behind this concept here.
Longing and Dissatisfaction – A sense that something’s missing doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Sometimes it’s the Self inviting us into the unknown. The ache to write, travel, create, or deepen spiritually may be less about achieving something and more about becoming someone.
Accessing the Self
You can’t “make” the Self show up—but you can create conditions for it to be heard. Here are some pathways to get closer to it:
1. Inner Work
Therapy, journaling, dream analysis, and shadow work can help you identify unconscious material that’s waiting to be brought into consciousness. This is the essence of Jung’s concept of individuation—the lifelong journey of becoming whole.
2. Creative Expression
Art, movement, writing, music—any form of honest expression can bypass the ego and offer direct connection to deeper parts of you. Even if it “doesn’t make sense,” it may carry meaning from the Self.
3. Tuning into Symbol and Metaphor
Not everything has to be logical. Often, the Self communicates symbolically. Pay attention to what captures your imagination—what images keep returning, what metaphors your mind naturally uses, or which animals or landscapes appear in your dreams.
4. Listening for the Inner “Yes”
Sometimes the Self just feels like resonance. You meet someone or read something or walk into a place and feel: This. The ego may not be able to explain why, but the Self knows.
Wholeness Isn’t Perfection
The Self doesn’t ask you to become perfect. It asks you to become whole. That means allowing the ego to take a back seat from time to time, reclaiming disowned parts, listening to your dreams and instincts, and being curious about who you are when you’re not performing for anyone.
It means seeing your symptoms—like burnout, anxiety, or people-pleasing—not just as problems to fix, but as clues pointing toward deeper truths.
It means trusting that the Self is always with you, even in seasons when you feel lost.
Want support accessing your deeper Self?
At Soul Clinic, we offer depth-oriented therapy and integration work to help you reconnect with your inner truth. Book a free consultation here or follow us on Instagram @soul.clinic.integration for more insight into the inner world.
