Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is often quoted as stating, “until you make the subconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Whether Jung stated this or not I believe this quote reflects Jung’s emphasis on the importance of exploring and understanding the unconscious mind in the process of self-discovery and personal growth.

Imagine that your mind is like an iceberg, with the tip above the water representing your conscious thoughts and the massive, hidden part below the water symbolizing your unconscious. The unconscious contains your hidden desires, fears, memories, and beliefs.

When you are not aware of what’s in your unconscious (the underwater part), these hidden thoughts and feelings can influence your actions and decisions without you realizing it. You might feel compelled to do certain things or react in specific ways, and it can seem like these choices are beyond your control.

Jung’s point is that if you never explore and understand what’s hidden in your unconscious, you may think that these hidden influences are simply “fate” or things that happen to you beyond your control. However, they are the product of your own mind.

To take control of your life, you need to bring these hidden thoughts and feelings into your conscious awareness. By doing so, you can make more deliberate choices and decisions, rather than feeling like you are being pushed around by unseen forces. In essence, it’s about understanding yourself better and taking charge of your destiny instead of attributing everything to fate.