Projecting

The Psychologist Carl Jung tells a story about how people don’t see the world for what it is, but instead project themselves onto the world.

Four people were on a hike when they came to a big river.

The first person saw the river as a physical challenge. Without much thought, he bounded across the river, across the rocks and branches, quickly arriving on the other side.

The second person was more analytical, planning out her path, and thinking of the safest and most efficient way across before taking her first step. She took her time and confidently walked across the water.

The third person was scared of the powerful water. It took him some time to build up his courage. After psyching himself up, he slowly and very carefully walked across, working through fear and doubt with every careful step.

The fourth person took one look at the river and decided that her hike had been long enough, then turned around and went home.

What’s the point of the story?

Not one of the four people took the time to splash water on their face, or watch the trout feeding, or contemplate how the river made life possible in the forest and communities downstream.

In this story, you are the river.