ABSTRACT
Jung’s concept of complexes is the most essential element in the theory and practice of analytical psychology. Complexes are seen as the fundamental structures which organize the human psyche around specific themes, relationships, and situations. Complex theory is so central to Jung’s model that he initially considered naming his new approach to psychoanalysis ‘complex psychology’ rather than analytical psychology. Jung also proposed that everyone has four complexes which function similarly in everyone’s psyche. These four complexes such as ego, shadow, persona, and anima/animus, are referred to as functional complexes. Persona and shadow are seen as being in compensatory relationship with each other, i.e., the brighter or more ideal the persona is, then the more difficult it will be for the contents of the shadow to become acknowledged and integrated with the ego. Circumambulation is the term Jung coined to describe the process of going around and around one’s complexes during analysis.
