Western man, Jung saw, always wants to do something, to…
““Western man, Jung saw, always wants to do something, to “get somewhere”; this kind of restlessness is characteristic of us all. A few years later, when Jung met the Pueblo chief Ochwiay Biano during his trip to Taos, he told Jung that the whites were always dissatisfied, and that this led to their cruelty. The kind of consciousness Jung encountered in North Africa was content with what is. At an oasis, Jung felt that “everything here was exactly the way it should be and the way it had always been.”28 Westerners usually feel this only after a few drinks or under the influence of drugs, hence their popularity. We find it inordinately difficult to relax, but what Jung found in North Africa was a consciousness that allowed the ego to slow down and sink into the warm embrace of the unconscious, as if after perpetually treading water, we suddenly discovered we could float.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Western restlessness seeks constant achievement; true peace comes from accepting the present.
In simple terms: Accepting now brings peace.
Key Takeaway
Practice present‑moment acceptance.
Themes
mindfulness
contentment
restlessness
Mood
calm
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- travel experiences
- cultural immersion
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
ego
unconscious
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you slow your ego?
- What moments feel naturally content?
A Different Perspective
Acceptance may be hard without practice.