A psychodynamic model of Self-nature

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn order to bridge the gap between humanistic psychology and positive psychology, this article proposes a psychodynamic model of Self-nature (自性, zixing) by integrating the Mandala model with several core ideas of Jung’s psychology for the future development of cultural psychology. The Mandala model of self, as well as the relationship between Freud and Jung, will be discussed in the context of an ogdoad formal structure in order to illuminate the psychological topography of conscious, personal unconscious and collective unconscious. Jung had been inspired by the philosophy of Daoism in his long-term search for the undiscovered Self. His Seven Sermons to the Dead will be reinterpreted to show the sharp cultural contrast between East and West. The potential contribution of this model to cultural psychology will be discussed, it is expected that this new model of Self-nature may bridge the gap between humanistic psychology and positive psychology.