“CONNECTING THE DOTS – A CONSCIOUS DREAM WHILE AWAKE”, PART

Hello Readers of Varoluş Magazine,

Due to work commitments, I had to take a break from writing for a while. Once I got things back on track, I decided to return to writing. These kinds of pauses happen from time to time; after all, who wants to watch a movie with no action? Sometimes, we seek stillness too, because digesting certain topics requires time.

Indeed, we can't always be calm and serene all the time. The best approach is to accept whatever comes and goes. Let your mouth say “no,” but may your heart say “yes” to everything. Just like being in the flow...This month, I’d like to talk to you about topics that I initially learned in fragments but eventually managed to connect over time. Our topic this month is “A Conscious Dream While Awake.”

To understand “What is a Conscious Dream While Awake?”, we must first define the ego. I’d like to begin with the scientists. The ego was first defined by Freud, who stated that it tries to maintain a balance between internal impulses and the demands of the external world. In doing so, the ego seeks to find a balance between the id—which consists of inner desires and urges—and the superego, which represents external moral values.According to Freud, the id is a structure where sexual desires, repressed urges, and memories are stored. Jung, on the other hand, approached the subject from a broader perspective, stating that the ego is the structure that separates us from the external world and organizes our thoughts through personal experiences.

He also believed that our subconscious (which includes the concept of the id and goes beyond it) interacts with the collective unconscious and that archetypes and symbols from the history of humanity are passed down through generations from there.

Jung disagreed with Freud’s concept of the superego. According to Jung, there is no internal prohibitive mechanism (like the superego) guiding personality development and behavior. While Freud’s superego supervises the individual by internalizing society’s moral codes, Jung emphasized the role of archetypes and the collective unconscious in shaping personality. According to him, personality forms through these archetypes—such as the shadow, anima/animus (feminine/masculine aspects), persona (social mask), and parental figures like mother and father.

Freud did not address the concept of the “true self.” He stated that personality is formed by the id, ego, and superego, and argued that human character is largely shaped by strong urges and sexuality.Jung, adopting a wider lens, added to these concepts with the notions of the subconscious and collective unconscious, and also introduced the idea of the true self. According to Jung, our essence plays a major role in balancing all conscious and unconscious information.

He also emphasized that suppressed emotions and urges must be processed in a healthy way by the ego. If the ego fails to function properly, these darker emotions can accumulate in the subconscious. Jung highlighted the importance of acknowledging and processing these feelings meaningfully. Otherwise, ignored emotions may lead to an imbalanced personality, and even to psychological disorders.

In conclusion, these two scientists—who were once very close friends—learned a great deal from each other. Freud believed sexuality and impulses heavily shaped human behavior, and explained it from a deterministic and biological standpoint. Jung, with a broader outlook, approached the true nature of humanity through concepts like the subconscious, the collective unconscious, and the self.

From a spiritual perspective, the ego is seen as a structure that separates us from our true self and forms limiting connections between the individual and the world.In this context, the ego plays an important role in personality development and helps us express ourselves by establishing connections with the world.

However, just like other organs in our body, the mind enables us to carry out vital functions, solve math or language problems, and respond to stimuli with a sense of moral awareness. Let’s not forget—the mind is just another organ. The true responsibility lies with the self. When the ego exceeds mental activity, the state of the self must maintain control.A dominant ego leads to psychological imbalances and prevents us from recognizing our true self.

So dear readers of Varoluş Magazine, this brings us to the end of Part One.In the next part, we’ll examine behaviors that empower the ego and prevent us from connecting with our essence, and embark on a grand exploration with the question: “What is a Conscious Dream While Awake?”

Take good care of yourselves.

With love.

Aydın YAKUPOĞLU