It was Carl Jung who helped us understand and articulate the concept of the universal mind and collective unconsciousness.

Most don’t realise the difference between a counsellor (a trained listener) and a psychotherapist (trained to read the subconscious).

Archetypes are therefore very important in working transpersonally with clients and knowledge of their workings internally can only be advantageous.

Archetypes are the instinctive forces and energies that are bestowed upon us throughout our lives and some are ones we find difficult to shake.

For example, once a Woman gives birth to her first child then ‘the Mother’ Archetype is an energy easier for this female to access helping her be more nurturing and protective of her child.

For some who are already naturally nurturing and caring they can evolve to help many not just their own children and his would demonstrate they are accessing ‘the Mother Theresa’ archetype.

However, someone born parentless will at times tap into ‘the Orphan’ Archetype causing this individual difficulties to connect to others and more receptive to feelings of rejection and abandonment.

It’s important to note that an understanding of archetypes can help the orphan because he may grow into ‘the knight’ someone who is fair and strong and fights valiantly for justice.

But equally the orphan could grow up with a lack of respect for rules, law and society and could just as easily grow into ‘the Criminal’ .

It’s our unconscious and subconscious minds that connect us to the universal mind which holds all the archetypal energies and forces we all can tap into.

Working with a practitioner well versed in these subconscious mechanisms will allow the client to truly explore and learn the ‘oneness and unity’ held within each conscious entity.