Lesson 6: Introduction to The Self

The Self can be understood in diverse ways, each contributing to a richer understanding of how we relate to our inner world. Whether seen as a sovereign guide, an internal leader, or a reflection of life’s depth and complexity, each perspective offers tools to enhance self-awareness, healing, and groundedness.

Although I believe that we can’t know our Self without actually looking inward and developing a relationship with our individual and unique Self, sometimes it’s helpful to have a little history and background information before we dive in. I’ve included five theories of Self below, although these are far from exhaustive of the different viewpoints on the topic.

Jane Burns: The Sovereign Self as Sacred Authority

Drawing from ancient wisdom and myth, Jane Burns, a Celtic Shaman, describes the sovereign Self as a sacred authority within. It is the most profound source of inner guidance, embodying nurturing and empowering qualities of sovereignty.

Burns emphasizes that sovereignty is not about control or dominion but integrity, alignment, and authentic self-expression. When connected to the sovereign Self, an individual learns to hold power responsibly—not only for themselves but in harmony with the collective and the natural world.

Core qualities of Burns’ sovereign Self include:

• Sacred Integrity: An unwavering commitment to personal truth while respecting the truths of others.

• Discernment: The capacity to make aligned choices that honor one’s inner wisdom and greater purpose.

• Compassionate Leadership: Creating and holding space for others while maintaining clear boundaries.

• Wholeness: An embrace of both light and shadow aspects of the Self, recognizing that integration of all parts is key to sovereignty.

For Burns, the sovereign Self is a spiritual and psychological compass, guiding individuals toward lives rooted in authenticity, purpose, and interconnectedness.

Internal Family Systems: The Self as the Harmonizer

In Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Self is an individual’s core essence. Founder Richard C. Schwartz described IFS as inherently healthy and whole. It exhibits the “8 C’s” of self-leadership: calmness, curiosity, clarity, compassion, confidence, courage, creativity, and connectedness.

The Self’s role in IFS is to act as a harmonizer, engaging with inner “parts” that hold pain, protective roles, or burdens. By approaching these parts from the Self’s stance, one creates a safe, compassionate space for dialogue, leading to healing and reintegration. This framework reminds us that beneath our struggles, there is always a calm, compassionate essence waiting to guide us.

Carl Jung: A Self Moving Towards Wholeness

Carl Jung described the Self as the archetype of wholeness, encompassing the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche. It serves as the organizing principle of the psyche, guiding the individuation process—a lifelong journey toward integration and authenticity. The Self harmonizes opposites, such as light and shadow or masculine and feminine, reflecting the paradoxical nature of life. Often symbolized by the mandala, divine child, or wise elder, the Self reveals itself through pivotal experiences like dreams and synchronicities.

Individuation is the lifelong process of becoming whole, where the ego gradually learns to align itself with the deeper wisdom of the Self. This requires:

• Confronting the Shadow: Facing and integrating the unconscious parts of the psyche that the ego rejects.

• Engaging the Anima/Animus: Integrating the contra-sexual aspects of the psyche.

• Acknowledging Archetypes: Recognizing the larger patterns and symbolic forces at play in the psyche and one’s life.

Through this process, an individual comes to live in a way that is authentic and aligned with their true nature. For Jung, relating the ego with the Self is central to achieving balance, authenticity, and a deeper connection to the universal human experience. Encountering the Self often occurs through pivotal life experiences—dreams, synchronicities, and moments of deep insight or transformation. This encounter can be both uplifting and challenging, as it forces the ego to relinquish control and acknowledge a greater guiding force within.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The Practical Self

DBT contributes to understanding the Self, or “Wise Mind” by providing mindfulness skills that enhance awareness and presence. These practices create tangible ways to connect with the Self and its experience:

• Observe: Notice what is happening without judgment.

• Describe: Put your experiences into words to understand them better.

• Participate: Fully engage with what you’re doing.

• Non-Judgmental Stance: See facts without labeling them as “good” or “bad.”

• One-Mindful: Focus on one thing at a time.

• Effectiveness: Adapt and act in ways that serve you best.

These skills encourage participants to align with their most present, centered selves while fostering a direct connection to the here and now.

James Hillman: Daimon, The Mythopoetic “Kind of Like a Self”

James Hillman, who we have discussed previously as the father of Archetypal Psychology, resisted the idea of the Self as the central or organizing archetype of the psyche. Instead, he advocated for a de-centered psyche with multiple autonomous archetypes, reflecting a pluralistic, polytheistic view rather than a unified, monotheistic model. Hillman emphasized not integration or individuation but cultivating a relationship with the soul’s images and dynamics. Rather than striving for a unified Self, he suggests exploring the inner conflicts, paradoxes, and multiplicities for what they are: part of an authentic and meaningful life. He saw the psyche akin to a pantheon of gods, with various archetypes or complexes operating in tandem, often in tension. The Self in this view becomes just one archetypal image among many, rather than a governing principle. The Self, then, is a reflection of the soul’s unique genius which is far more concerned with personal depth than overarching unity.

Bringing These Perspectives Together

The Self can be understood through diverse frameworks, each offering tools to deepen self-awareness, healing, and connection. Jane Burns highlights the sovereign Self as a sacred authority embodying integrity, alignment, and compassionate leadership. Internal Family Systems (IFS) views the Self as a harmonizing essence, inherently calm and compassionate, guiding inner healing. Carl Jung’s archetypal Self symbolizes wholeness, directing the lifelong process of individuation by integrating light and shadow, conscious and unconscious. In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the Self emerges as the “Wise Mind,” accessible through mindfulness and practical skills for grounded presence. James Hillman, however, shifts focus to the psyche’s pluralistic nature, the archetypal Self as a poetic reflection of the soul’s genius. Together, these perspectives invite individuals to explore the complexity and richness of their inner worlds.