How Are Jung and Einstein Solving Problems?
Two complimentary ideas:
The greatest and most important problems of life are all fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved but only outgrown. — Carl Jung
The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them. — Albert Einstein
Go beyond thinking of those ideas as just applying to societal conditions, and apply them to yourself.
And when you hit a stuck point today, or have a problem to solve in your work, reflect on these two statements… and now, where should you put your focus?
Images from Encarta and Dorfun.
And thanks to all those who commented on the previous post so far: Slade, Stuart Baker, Jean Browman, Tshombe
Get my Silencing Overwhelm e-book when you subscribe
Intuitive purpose finder and meaning maker.
Excellent quotes and a perfect way to consider them. Thanks!
Great quotes and pictures.
I also like the rest of the Jung quote:
“All the greatest and most important problems of life are fundamentally insoluble…. They can never be solved, but only outgrown. This “outgrowth” proved on further investigation to require a new level of consciousness. Some higher or wider interest appeared on the patient’s horizon, and through this broadening of his or her outlook the insoluble problem lost its urgency. It was not solved logically in its own terms but faded when confronted with a new and stronger life urge.”
It reminds us not to define ourselves too narrowly. We’re evolving creatures.
Jean, I like your fleshing-out of Jung’s quote. It was helpful.
At first, though, reading the piece of the quote that Monk shared, I responded inwardly that I think the greatest problems have to do with the opening and development of our hearts, which we can expand with. The more our hearts are open the more we are aware of our brothers and sisters, and the more we want to be helpful.
Thanks Jean, and Adam.
Stuart Baker
http://www.consciouscooperation.com
Thanks, Dailytri — one of these days, I’d love to know your first name, if you’re open to sharing it (I can’t find it on your blog, either)
Jean, that’s fantastic — I never knew the quote continued (although I suppose all quotes continue, depending on how long you stick around the person…).
Interesting take, Stuart… I like that.
That Einstein quote is one of my favorites! And you’re right on about applying it to our personal development. It’s so easy to get caught in the downward spiral of trying to change the way we feel from a feeling place or change the way we think from a thinking place. That’s why when I teach the Energetics of Attraction I encourage people to shift their internal perception point first, before trying to solve a problem or change something they are experiencing as negative.
The Jung quote I had never heard and it adds such a powerful element to this concept. It totally shifts the perspective from one of confrontation to one of opportunity and evolution. I love it!
Thanks for bringing these together.
You bet, Ed; for a long time, I’ve been confusing the two because of their similarities.
And I love the elaboration that Jean posted. It’s that much richer for me, now.
Hello Adam:
There’s a lot of rich insights packaged in these few words. Jean’s elaboration of Jung’s quote is very revealing. I think the quotes have the connecting theme of changed consciousness and perception. Thinking and feeling are intimately connected.
Much of my consulting and coaching requires me to think outside the conventional IQ driven paradigm and to encourage clients to do the same. The Einstein quote serves as a constant reminder.
I’ve written 2 articles that show that Einstein combined cerebral thought and feeling in a unique rounded way. Here are the links and keep up the thought provoking work.
http://tuneupyoureq.com/2007/05/19/eq-so-easy-even-einstein-can-do-it/
http://tuneupyoureq.com/2007/05/18/albert-einsteins-7-simple-eq-lessons/
Thanks for the resources, Galba! You never can have too much Einstein, eh?