Where there is light, there must be shadow, and where there is shadow there must be light. There is no shadow without light and no light without shadow. Karl Jung said this about 'the Shadow' in one of his books: 'It is as evil as we are positive... the more desperately we try to be good and wonderful and perfect, the more the Shadow develops a definite will to be black and evil and destructive... The fact is that if one tries beyond one's capacity to be perfect, the shadow descends to hell and becomes the devil. For it is just as sinful from the standpoint of nature and of truth to be above oneself as to be below oneself.
The quote suggests a duality in existence, indicating that light and shadow are interconnected. It highlights the idea that the presence of goodness inherently leads to the existence of evil, emphasizing that neither can exist without the other. This philosophical perspective aligns with Jung's concept of the Shadow, which represents the darker aspects of the human psyche. The Shadow gains strength when individuals strive excessively for perfection, thereby igniting internal conflict and negativity.
Jung argues that in pursuing an unattainable ideal of goodness, people risk creating a stark contrast with their inner darkness. This tension leads to the emergence of destructive tendencies when one represses their true nature. The passage from Murakami's book illustrates that striving to be something one is not can be just as detrimental as falling short of one's potential. Ultimately, he conveys a profound understanding of balance in life, suggesting that authenticity and acceptance of both light and shadow are crucial for inner harmony.
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