Archetypes Are Not Just Psychic Structures

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of archetypes, relating them to the Divine Logos, or Jesus Christ, as the unchanging metaphysical foundation of reality. It contrasts this with the Jungian idea of archetypes as fluid psychic structures, arguing for a fixed, universal order that patterns reality. The discussion explores how these 'logi' or divine principles shape our perception and experience, leading to a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it, ultimately pointing towards the Divine Logos. The script also touches on the noetic faculty, the importance of morality and truth in perceiving these patterns, and the Orthodox Christian view of theosis, where all creation is called to participate in God's divine nature.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The concept of 'logos' in the script refers to Jesus Christ, the divine principle that has incarnated into space and time, serving as a foundational archetype.
• 🔍 The speaker contrasts the idea of archetypes as understood through Jungian psychology with a theological perspective, emphasizing the need for a metaphysical grounding for these concepts to be unchanging and universal.
• 🔑 The script discusses the importance of 'noesis', or the noetic faculty, as the eye of the heart, which allows for the intuitive grasping of unity amidst multiplicity and is essential for perceiving the Divine Logos.
• 🧠 The speaker mentions that archetypes are not merely psychic structures but are universal and foundational to the order of reality, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world.
• 🌿 The idea that reality is patterned and not arbitrary is highlighted, suggesting that these patterns or 'logi' are divine principles that guide creation and existence.
• 🔄 The script touches on the concept of 'theosis', the belief in the deification of all creation, which is achieved through humility and letting go of prideful self-grasping.
• 🏀 The use of sports analogies illustrates the importance of seeing through actions to their higher purpose, relating this to the way one should engage with the divine patterns or 'logi' in life.
• 💡 The speaker warns against the dangers of grasping at things for their own sake, which can lead to sin and a perversion of the divine patterns, instead advocating for participation in these patterns in a way that aligns with their higher purpose.
• 🌟 The pursuit of understanding and experiencing the Divine Logos is presented as an intuitive and experiential process, rather than purely rational or intellectual.
• 🛡 The script suggests that the darkening of the noetic faculty, or the ability to perceive divine patterns, is linked to sin and the misuse of reason for self-serving ends.
• 🌱 The Orthodox Christian worldview presented in the script sees archetypes or 'logi' as divine principles that set the pattern for reality, guiding us towards the Divine Logos and the process of theosis.

Q & A

What is the connection between archetypes and the concept of logos in the script?

The script discusses archetypes as universal structures that are rooted in a metaphysical reality, and logos is identified as Jesus Christ, the divine principle that incarnated into space and time. These archetypes or 'logi' are seen as the divine principles that set the pattern for reality, relating to the larger concept of logos.

How does the script differentiate between the western psychological view of archetypes and the theological perspective?

The script contrasts the western psychological view, which sees archetypes as psychic structures formed by personal experiences and thus constantly changing, with the theological perspective that archetypes are unchanging universal structures rooted in a metaphysical reality.

What is the significance of the 'eye of the heart' or 'nous' in the Orthodox worldview as presented in the script?

In the script, 'nous' or the 'eye of the heart' is described as the capacity to perceive unity in multiplicity and to grasp the divine logos. It is the way one participates with the divine patterns of reality and is tied to morality and truthfulness.

How does the script relate the concept of archetypes to the idea of sin and the fall?

The script suggests that archetypes or 'logi' can become darkened through sin, which is described as an instrumental grasping of things for themselves rather than in relation to their higher purpose. This leads to a perversion and destruction of the divine patterns in creation.

What is the script's view on the relationship between the divine logos and human experience?

The script posits that the divine logos can be experienced intuitively, not just through rational thought. It suggests that perceiving the divine logos is akin to a physical experience, an intuitive grasping of unity that is often overlooked due to human passions and thoughts.

How does the script discuss the concept of theosis in relation to archetypes and the divine logos?

The script explains that theosis, or becoming like God, is possible through dying to oneself and letting go of pride and grasping at different levels of reality. By doing so, one can participate in the divine logos and the archetypal patterns of reality in a proper way.

What is the script's perspective on the nature of archetypes as they relate to the physical world?

The script views archetypes as not just psychic structures but as universal structures that give order to the physical world. They are seen as patterns that bind particularity to the divine oneness, allowing for the existence and recognition of categories across space and time.

How does the script describe the process of understanding archetypes in terms of human experience?

The script describes understanding archetypes as an exercise in experience rather than thought. It suggests that recognizing archetypes involves seeing through the multiplicity of the world to the underlying divine patterns, which is a process that is more intuitive than rational.

What is the script's view on the relationship between archetypes and the concept of evil?

The script discusses the archetype of the 'Evil Genius' as someone whose 'nous' or capacity to perceive the divine logos is darkened. This person may be intelligent but is described as irrational because they use reason instrumentally for self-serving ends, thus perverting the divine patterns of reality.

How does the script use the analogy of sports to explain the concept of grasping archetypes for their higher purpose?

The script uses the analogy of playing basketball, where actions like dribbling are not ends in themselves but means to score points and win the game. It suggests that grasping archetypes for their own sake is misguided, and that understanding their higher purpose is the key to proper participation in reality.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Understanding Archetypes and the Divine Logos

This paragraph delves into the concept of archetypes, their connection to the divine logos, and the philosophical underpinnings of these ideas. The speaker clarifies that archetypes are not merely psychological constructs but are universal structures that shape reality. They argue against the notion that these structures are constantly changing and instead propose that they are rooted in a metaphysical reality, which is unchanging through time and space. The paragraph also discusses the relationship between these archetypes and the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ as the logos, suggesting that the divine principles of creation, or 'logi,' set the patterns for reality. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the divine order and the role of the 'nous' or the eye of the heart in perceiving unity amidst multiplicity.

05:02

💡 The Noetic Faculty and the Path to Theosis

In this paragraph, the discussion shifts to the noetic faculty, which is described as the eye of the heart, enabling individuals to perceive the divine patterns in creation and thus participate in the divine reality. The speaker explores the idea that our ability to grasp unity in the midst of multiplicity is foundational to our anthropological nature and is tied to morality and truth. They also touch on the concept of the 'evil genius,' a person whose noetic faculty is darkened, leading to irrationality despite high intelligence. The paragraph further explains how grasping at things for their own sake, rather than recognizing their higher purpose, can lead to perversion and sin. The speaker uses the analogy of sports to illustrate the importance of aligning actions with higher purposes and concludes with the Orthodox Christian belief in theosis, the process of becoming like God through selflessness and humility.

Keywords

💡Archetypes

Archetypes refer to universal patterns or models that are inherent in the human psyche, as described by Carl Jung. In the context of the video, archetypes are presented as universal structures that shape reality and are rooted in a metaphysical framework, rather than being fluid and changing as per a Darwinian perspective. The script mentions that these archetypes are not merely psychic structures but have a real existence that guides the unfolding of reality.

💡Logos

Logos, in the video, is used in a theological context to refer to the divine principle of order and knowledge, specifically identified with Jesus Christ in Christian theology. The term is discussed as the unchanging reality that underpins the ever-changing material world. The video emphasizes the Logos as the ultimate archetype that gives structure and meaning to all other archetypes.

💡Unconscious

The unconscious is a concept from psychology, often associated with Jung, referring to the part of the mind that is not in immediate awareness but influences behavior and thought. In the video, the unconscious is discussed in the context of a Darwinian framework where it is formed by personal experiences and is subject to change. However, the speaker contrasts this with a theological perspective where archetypes have a fixed, metaphysical basis.

💡Metaphysical

Metaphysical refers to that which is beyond the physical, often relating to the nature of reality and existence. In the video, the term is used to describe a realm where the archetypes and the Logos exist as unchanging truths that provide a foundation for the ever-changing physical world.

💡Plato

Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher whose ideas on forms or ideas as eternal and unchangeable entities are referenced in the video. The speaker mentions Plato to highlight the historical precedence of the concept of unchanging metaphysical structures that shape reality, predating Christianity.

💡Heraclitus

Heraclitus is an ancient Greek philosopher known for his concept of 'panta rhei,' or 'everything flows,' implying that change is constant. The video references Heraclitus to acknowledge the ever-changing nature of the world but argues against the notion that everything is in constant flux without any underlying structure or order.

💡Noetic

Noetic, derived from the Greek word 'nous,' refers to the faculty of the mind that perceives or understands spiritual or divine realities. In the video, the speaker discusses the noetic faculty as the capacity to perceive unity and the divine patterns in creation, which can become darkened or obscured by sin or self-centeredness.

💡Theosis

Theosis is a term from Orthodox Christianity meaning 'becoming God' or 'divinization,' referring to the process by which humans can become more like God. The video discusses theosis as the ultimate goal of human life, achievable through dying to one's self and moving towards participation in the divine.

💡Evil Genius

The term 'Evil Genius' is used in the video to describe a person whose noetic faculty is darkened, leading to a high level of intellectual capacity but an inability to perceive divine patterns or the Logos. This concept illustrates the idea that intelligence without spiritual insight can lead to self-defeating and irrational behavior.

💡Instrumental

Instrumental, in the context of the video, refers to the misuse of something for one's own ends, rather than recognizing its proper purpose within a larger framework. The speaker uses the term to discuss sin as the act of grasping at things for their own sake, rather than recognizing their role in the divine order.

💡Participation

Participation, in the video, is a key concept from Orthodox theology, referring to the idea that humans and all of creation can partake in the divine nature. It is discussed as the process of aligning oneself with the divine Logos and the archetypal patterns, leading to deification or theosis.

Highlights

Archetypes are universal structures that reality unfolds based on, rather than just psychic structures.

The concept of the Divine Logos, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate archetype and pattern for reality.

Archetypes are rooted in a metaphysical framework, unlike the fluid framework of the unconscious in Jungian psychology.

The Logos incarnated into space and time, providing a metaphysical point of reference for archetypes.

Archetypes are unchanging through space and time, despite the changing world, unlike the constantly evolving unconscious.

The importance of having a metaphysical grounding for archetypes, as proposed by Plato and later adopted by Christianity.

The idea that archetypes are Divine principles of creation, as discussed by Saint Maximus.

The concept of the noetic faculty, or the eye of the heart, as the way we participate in and perceive archetypes.

The noetic faculty is essential for morality, speaking truthfully, and treating people well.

The connection between the noetic faculty and the ability to perceive the Divine Logos.

The idea that archetypes are not absolute or infinite, but have a kind of relativity that points towards the Divine Logos.

The concept of theosis, or becoming God, as the ultimate goal of participating in the Divine Logos and archetypes.

The idea that grasping things for themselves, rather than for their higher purpose, leads to sin and disorder.

The importance of seeing through the multiplicity of the world to the underlying unity and order of archetypes.

The analogy of playing basketball to illustrate the importance of seeing the higher purpose in actions and archetypes.

The concept of the Evil Genius as someone with a darkened noetic faculty, despite high intelligence.

The idea that sin involves grasping at different levels without moving towards the Divine Logos.

The concept of pride as thinking one has reached the summit, cutting oneself off from higher participation.

The irony that in Orthodoxy, letting go of pride and grasping allows for participation in God and theosis.

Transcripts

and it ties back to then how archetypes

work and that's where I want to move

next is the archetypes and these logi

and how that relates back to this larger

concept of logos which is who Jesus

Christ is for those who are new or

haven't caught on the logos is Jesus

Christ the logos is what incarnated into

space and time

um and so you're talking about Santa

Claus and these archetypes and the

reality of the archetypal uh realm if

you will and and for so many of the

western mind they hear archetypes they

think of Jung and then they think of the

the you know the the unconscious

um well within their own darwinian

framework the the world itself is

constantly changing and the unconscious

is formed by our own personal experience

with the world therefore the unconscious

and these archetypes of the father and

the mother and the hero they should also

then be changing because by definition

it's all based on a sort of a fluids

framework because they don't have a

metaphysical point to root it in which

is what theology is doing it's saying no

no guys you can have your archetypes

Plato was talking about this well before

Christianity but you have to have a

metaphysic in which these Concepts and

these ideas are rooted in so they are

unchanging through space and time

because yes heraclitus is right you

don't step into the same river twice but

that doesn't mean that everything is

fluid and unchanging

I mean I agree that I usually even don't

even use the word archetype in in my

videos because of the Union problem

where people tend to understand our it's

a perfectly legitimate word by the way

San Gregory uses it uh you know in his

in his writings and so it's just that

people tend to associate it with this

idea that it's somehow psychic

structures right these archetypes are

psychic structures but that's not what

we're proposing we're proposing that

they are Universal structures and that

reality actually unfolds

based on these on these structures and

it's not a it's not like it doesn't you

don't have to understand it as like a

magical kind of magical thing uh but the

world has to be patterned and it's not

just a psychic thing in order for

anything to exist in the world there has

to be order in the in the

particularities and that's it that's all

it is it's just that the order of that

that binds particularity to one that's

an archetype and so you could understand

it very low in terms of you know how

molecules bound together to form higher

form uh higher forms of of qualities but

then you can also do it from a human

perspective that is for me to be able to

recognize certain certain categories uh

across space and time they have to be

bound by a pattern and like let's say

the pattern of fatherhood it's just a

real pattern it doesn't mean that it's

in in its instantiation there could be

variability and there can be variability

across it but ultimately it leads to one

and especially as you get higher and

higher and you move towards the Divine

logos himself and so in some ways you

could say that all the logi and all the

patterns they are not absolute they're

not infinite they are limited and they

are you know they have a they have a

kind of Relativity to them but that

relativity is always pointing up and up

and up and up and as You Follow that

line then you reach you reach the the

you reach the Divine logos I mean not

not with your thinking but even in

experience you start to see through the

glimmers of these patterns that there's

something holding them together you know

at the summit of it can you explain for

people then what we're calling

archetypes how in an orthodox worldview

they are called the logi as Saint

Maximus talks about the Divine

principles of creation and like you're

saying this these are the Divine

principles that sets the pattern for

reality

um can you explain a little bit about

what these low-gi are and how they

relate to that

I mean I that's a way the way that I see

them is that they're the reason like

they're the reason why you perceive

something in the first place like

they're the reason why multiplicity is

binding into one why is it that when I

look at the world around me or

experience the world around me I don't

just experience in infinite infinite

chaos and infinite multiplicity it's

like no I experience different levels

and there there's a lot of patterns like

there's a lot of levels and and there's

almost indefinite levels and and play of

patterns but I always am able to see the

one through the through the many and

that line right that line is that line

that kind of drives you up towards uh

towards the Divine logos uh and it's not

um

right it's not a it's not a rational

it's not an exercise in thought it's an

exercise and experience and that's why

we tend to say that you know we talk

about the news as this capacity to kind

of grasp things right to grasp their

Unity without the dialectic without the

thought process and so in some ways

um perceiving the Divine logos is closer

to almost physical experience in the

sense that it's a it's like a it's it's

just intuitive it's like this intuitive

grasping of the one and most people

aren't even aware of it they don't

they're not conscious of it you know we

experience The Noose all the time the

news is actually what drives the way

that you function in in reality but

because we're so clouded by our passions

and our thought that we we don't tend to

to see it but we do have that capacity

to just grasp the one that's that's what

that's what leads you into into the logi

and that news is such a fundamental

anthropological point because it's we're

not just mind-body Soul yes if somebody

saw news and translated they'd say oh

well that's just the Greek word for mind

yes but Orthodoxy as we've done with

everything

re-sanctifies whatever we're talking

about and so the Noose is the eye of the

heart it's the eye of the soul that the

way that you're participating with these

patterns which is going to be tied to

morality which is going to be tied to

speaking truthful things there's going

to be tied with how you treat people

this is essential for how you're going

to see that line through the logi

through these archetypal patterns of

reality back to the logos Jesus Christ

the second person of the Holy Trinity

and so therefore we I've always talked

about the archetype if you will of the

Evil Genius as somebody who is the Noose

is totally darkened so yeah there that

may have a high IQ they may have the

highest IQ but at the same time they're

totally irrational despite their using

reason instrumentally for whatever ends

that they have to conquer the world or

to to have power over people but it's

still irrational it's self-defeating

because the ways in which they live

their life they have darkened The noetic

Faculty of themselves that they really

can't see God and they really can't see

them these these in instrumental

patterns in creation yeah and I think

that that the word instrumental is the

right word for people to understand sin

or to understand the fall and that say

how the logi get darkened and the way

the logi get darkened is through this

kind of instrumental thing it's it's a

funny it's a funny situation but the

idea is that in some ways if you grasp

something for what it is only

it immediately becomes perverted right

and so and rather the the if you if you

see through it like there's a sense in

which there's a line that follows

through it into something higher than

Beyond it that's when you kind of follow

this line of logi so it's not it like I

said I want to be careful not to sound

like I'm saying arbitrary things but if

you if you I love to use Sports

analogies because they're so easy to

understand so if you if you play

basketball and there are certain things

that you're doing a basketball right

you're dribbling you're passing you're

you're throwing the ball you're doing

all these things like all these things

that you're doing you never want to

grasp them for themselves right so if

you grasp dribbling and you're like man

I'm gonna dribble and I'm just gonna

dribble for dribbling and so you're

gonna lose the game right because it's a

ridiculous thing to do you have to see

through the dribbling towards the

purpose of what it is right I'm

dribbling so that I can score points so

that I can win the game and then but

then that goes up obviously it doesn't

stop at sports like the idea is like if

things are lined up towards their higher

purposes then that's when you that's

when you participate in them in the

proper way but when you try to grasp

them for themselves then you're done

like then then that's what that in some

ways that's what sin is so in our lives

it's usually happens in terms of

thoughts and in terms of of desires

right it's like eating is great eating

is a beautiful wonderful thing but if I

try to grasp it for itself

then I'm disordered then I'm then I'm

obsessed by food you know I get fat I I

all these things happen to me that are

that are because I'm not I'm not going

to the logos and moving up towards it

there's the destruction of the patterns

the gluttony literally begins to kill

you which is the nature of sin right

it's the nature it's sin it's a nature

of Pride it's like when you think that

you've got it it's like as soon as you

think that you've got it and you're God

and you're at the summit then then

you've cut yourself off from higher

participation and it's a deep irony

because in in Orthodoxy we do believe in

theosis like we literally believe you

could become God and not just you but

all of creation is called to be deified

right and the only way for it to for it

to to happen is to die to oneself right

it's the opposite of what we think it's

like if you actually let go of your

pride and you let go of your grasping at

the different levels then all of this is

going to participate in God it's

actually I mean it's wild but it makes

sense once you start to see it in that

way it does