We are obviously not a closed system as individuals, but IMO the...

We are obviously not a closed system as individuals, but IMO the analogy helps us to visualise the idea of what is going on in our psyche

Jung suggested the process of individuation is to facilitate the removal of psychic blocks that collect as a reservoir of trapped energy

These blocks then constellate in the unconscious part of the mind he called the personal 'shadow'

But once that energy is released, we can function at a higher level and the shadow loses some of its dark qualities