There is a constant dialogue humans are forever taking part in. A larger conversation that has lasted millennia, full of debate and confusion and added to every moment. With the invention and utilization of the internet, this dialogue has only become loose, more cluttered, more diverse; and yet, there are instances in humanity where the dialogue becomes eerily uniform - such as now.
I will not mention this thing which is plaguing us this very moment. I will not, because it is already everywhere, infecting every part of our daily lives. It binds us together, horrifically close, reminding us just how small of a world it is that we live in. How connected we all are. And it's terrifying.
It was when this terrifying thing was closing in on me, smearing its fingers across the carefully planned lines and patterns of my life, that I finally got around to reading Map of the Soul Persona: Our Many Faces; a book written by Dr. Murray Stein in collaboration with Dr. Steven Buser, and Dr. Leonard Cruz. “A guide” it is called on the first page, right before the special thanks are given to an ARMY and BTS “for bringing Jungian psychology to a new generation.”
It is a short book - the copy I bought on Amazon amounted to only a little over 100 pages contained by 13 chapters - and the first chapter starts on page 47.
In the first pages, the reader is introduced to the concepts covered in the book by a self-introduction of Dr. Stein, before the good doctor then launches into an insightful dissection of the 7 track album BTS released by the same name as this book: Map of the Soul: Persona. There is also an adapted and summarized version of an interview Dr. Stein gave to one Laura London on her podcast Speaking of Jung: Interviews with Jungian Analysts episode number 44. I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen before reading this book, and you should read this book.
I must shamefully admit that I thought this book to be something of a cash-grab by the authors - ARMY are no strangers to people capitalizing on that which BTS makes popular/relevant. However, after the brief summary of the Map of the Soul: Persona songs, there is almost no mention of BTS.
Please, do not let this be a deterrent to reading this book. Because the passion for the craft and science of Jungian psychology is evident on every page, in which it is explained in detail - though I occasionally found these explanations hard to grasp at times - how the process of individuation and Jung’s principles can be applied not only to BTS’ art but also to every individual’s life.
I bring up this dialogue, this larger conversation, because this concept kept turning over in my mind as I was reading this book. Both this book’s authors and BTS’s venture into the world of psychology add to the larger conversation, leaning on each other, but never too much.
In chapter 9, the authors write
“[w]e are limited by our biases. We are looking at ourselves, but not from an outside perspective.”
In these days where we are consumed not only by our own fears but also the fears of the multitudes across the world who are being affected, it is easy to let the negatives overtake our outlook. In this time of tribulation, however, it is important to have empathy. I cannot claim to know the situation of the people and lands outside of my immediate area in the US of America, where our news and information are being filtered by biased parties who will also not be named. Empathy is blocked by hatred and pointing fingers saying it is X country’s fault for starting this disaster or Y country’s fault for not preparing when the people who are very obviously not at fault are the ones suffering most.
In the 2018 interview with the Grammy Museum, Namjoon of BTS stated: “If somebody cannot love themselves, then they will love nobody.” This concept is one that is emphasized in this book - you must discover your inner Self, know your inner Self, and learn to accept- if not love - that Self in order to more maturely interact with the outer world.
So, while we all must take some time to hide away for the protection of ourselves and the protection of those who are weaker in our communities, why not take some time and a few dollars, and thumb through the pages of this guide to our many faces. Let us learn our Selves, and spend these next several weeks - difficult as they may end up being - in introspection, to reflect.
Maybe, just maybe, we can follow in BTS’ footsteps and add to this global dialogue, making it, at least somewhat, more hopeful.
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Written By: Aury
Edit By: Mheer
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