Experts on Narcissism

Course Description

From a Jungian perspective, narcissism can be boiled down to a problem of identity and lack of self-esteem. The relationship to the Self (that is felt as our inner guide) is distorted, and this causes problems in many areas of life.

The Jungian view recognizes that we all need a certain degree of healthy narcissism. It is a crucial part of our individuation process that supports the discovery of our unique identity. However, this path is not without its challenges. It is possible for individuals to experience wounds or detours that can lead to excessive narcissistic tendencies and a disconnection from the true Self.

This course is interview-style. Machiel Klerk and Akke-Jeanne Klerk – Jung Platform founders and siblings –spoke with these 11 experts to create the Narcissism Summit. This course is a remastering of that summit.

The classes are available now.

This course is ideal if:

• You have troublesome relationships in your life that you suspect might have an element of narcissistic dynamics
• You want to learn the depth dynamics of the narcissistic traits we all share
• You want practical ideas about how to set boundaries and new ways to deal with your own and others’ narcissistic traits
• You work with people who are dealing with narcissistic traits in their relationships or in themselves

Course Overview

Class 1: Introduction to Narcissism with Monica Wickman

Monika Wikman is a gifted teacher and psychotherapist. In this interview she brings her Jungian lens into focus for a penetrating view on narcissism. In the Jungian perspective narcissism is a problem of identity in which the relationship between the ego and the larger Self is off. This disconnect is experienced as a deep lack, and triggers rage and envy in the person. Monika also talks about ways to heal the narcissistic wound, and how we can engage with narcissistic people around us. Join her for a unique look at this timely topic. In this session, you will learn:

• A Jungian perspective on narcissism
• The dynamics of envy and rage in narcissism
• Approaches to healing narcissism from a Jungian perspective

Class 2: Narcissism and Self-Creation with Larry Ward

This summit session with Buddhist teacher Larry Ward is about narcissism in relation to our impulse to continuously create ourselves. Ward sees the narcissistic personality disorder as deeper than it appears to be. At the core it is a complex of the I-making process rooted in deep unmet needs. This state of body, mind and emotion is called the hungry ghost realm. IIn this state people feel nearly constant emotional hunger yet are never fulfilled. The complex habitually craves something pleasing as well as acknowledgement of itself. It demands to have its needs for love and nourishment met, yet it is certain to fail. To decondition this habitual pattern requires a conscious effort. Meditation, among other things, can help. Ward argues it is important that we learn to nourish our inner life into wellness. In this session, you will discover:

• How we continuously create and invent ourselves
• The unmet needs in narcissism
• The importance of skill development that nourish our becoming

Class 3: Narcissism in Mythology with Michael Meade

Join the hypnotic storyteller and savvy interpreter of myths and stories Michael Meade. He takes us on a reflective journey through myths to see how the problems and potential healing of narcissism plays out in mythology. Few people have the ability to make these old stories so practical and relevant to our daily life as Meade. He points out where in our own souls we can encounter the challenges and dangers of narcissism, so we can also recognize them when they happen on a collective level. With a world hanging on a thin thread, we all can benefit from strengthening the thread through the connection to our own soul thread. In this session, you will discover:

• Stories of narcissism in mythology and fairy tales
• How to recognize narcissism in our own life mythology/path
• How to find medicine for inner and outer narcissism

Class 4: Lack of Soul in Narcissism with Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore uses the myth of Narcissus as his guide. Narcissism is the lack and felt need for self-love and appreciation. As a symptom, it points to what is needed. So the narcissistic person shows his or her pain by being a pain to others. He tries to coerce others to see and appreciate himself. In the myth (Ovid) Narcissus at first is hard like marble and doesn’t respond to his friends. But he reflects on himself in a pool of water, at first not knowing the image is of himself. Then he discovers for himself that he is lovable. He turns into a flower, which is the opposite of marble.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses always presents a special, metaphorical transformation. So a narcissist needs love. He isn’t full of self-love, he is empty of it. Moore has a friend who has a program she learned in Africa of self-praise. She helps young people learn to praise themselves and each other. This is a cure for narcissism. One more thing, there are times in life when praise is especially needed and when narcissism rises: childhood, adolescence, when life hasn’t gone well, in old age. In this session you will learn:

• What’s meant by “a sense of soul”
• What happens when we’re disconnected from the soul
• How can we restore a sense of soul in our daily lives

Class 5: Narcissism in Romantic relationships with Akke-Jeanne Klerk

Jungian Coach and Jung Platform co-founder Akke-Jeanne Klerk discusses the challenges one faces when romantically involved with a person with strong narcissistic traits. In the early stages of the relationship narcissists are likely to be charming. However, as the relationship progresses in time, the destructive dynamics will take its toll on the relationship. The relational dynamics turn abusive. Each stage of the relationship comes with its own challenges, as well as the ending of the relationship and the experienced heartbreak afterwards.
In this session, Akke-Jeanne focuses on what is mirrored back through the other about the relationship we have with ourselves. What is it within us that wants to be fully seen through our own eyes? What part of ourselves do we need to recognize, honor and allow to move on? In this session you will discover:

• What narcissism in romantic relationships looks like
• Why people enter relationships with a narcissistic other and why they experience difficulties ending it
• What a relationship with a narcissistic other might reveal about yourself

Class 6: Narcissism in Myth, Poetry and Soul with Robert Romanyshyn

Robert Romanyshyn focuses on the soul’s suffering – its psychopathology – by regarding its symptoms as a vocation to remember what is being forgotten even as it is too painful to be remembered by them. Individuation then is the fruit of mourning as one discovers who one is and is meant to be, thus transforming an impersonal fate into a singular destiny. The work of Individuation requires, as Jung has pointed out, a situation that calls for change, the courage to do so, and a vocation, a calling that is from the Self. In the course of the interview, Romanyshyn uses a key dream as well as two examples from his life and work to illustrate his remarks. In this session you will learn:

• The Myth: The Fatal Attraction of the Ideal of Beauty
• Through Rilke’s Duino Elegies about Lament and Praise
• The Mourning Process: From Loss and Disillusionment to Transformation

Class 7: Narcissism in the Workplace with Craig Chalquist

In this session Depth Psychologist Craig Chalquist talks about narcissism in the workplace. Narcissistic behavior can be found in any position in the workplace, from management positions to co-workers to clients. Chalquist explains how to recognize behaviors like entitlement, abuse of power, gaslighting, and lack of empathy, as they play out in the workplace. The dynamics narcissists often create around them have an impact on a personal level as well as on the team dynamics. Craig discusses the challenges that are faced by those who work and interact with the narcissist. He will give examples and offer some suggestions on how to deal with narcissism on the job. In this session you will discover:

• How to recognize narcissism in the workplace
• The impact of narcissism in work environments
• How to deal effectively with narcissism on the job

Class 8: Narcissism in Astrology with Alexander van Schlieffen

The masterful teacher and gifted astrologer Alexander Graf von Schlieffen shares how we can look at narcissism through the lens of astrology. Narcissism is a problem of identity, which in astrology is mainly symbolized by the Sun. The placement and aspects of the sun point to particular personality traits and certain life circumstances. If the Sun can’t express itself in a healthy way it might indicate narcissism. Astrology can provide clues as to how narcissism plays out for a particular person, and also points the direction where healing can be found. In this session you will learn:

• About the sun as a symbol of identity
• How to find healing for narcissism
• Some specific ways narcissism can play out in an individual chart

Class 9: Narcissistic Parents with Daniel Shaw

In this session psychoanalyst Daniel Shaw reviews the effects ‘traumatizing narcissists’ can have in families. He describes how narcissists create a relational system of subjugation. Narcissists intimidate, belittle, and humiliate the people around them. They require the other to become an object for them. Narcissistic parents resent their childrens’ dependency and shame their children for their natural needs. Consequently, people that grow up in these abusive relational systems oftentimes blame themselves for things they aren’t the cause of. They become alienated from themselves. They feel trapped, work hard on themselves, and try to be the person the narcissistic other wants them to be. But they could also become like the narcissistic parent, feeling superior and shaming others for being needy and small. In his work with survivors of narcissistic abuse Daniel Shaw focuses on understanding the dynamics of narcissism better and he helps survivors retrieve a healthy sense of self. In this session, you will discover:

• How to identify a ‘traumatizing narcissist’
• The effects of growing up in an abusive relational system
• How to deal with narcissistic parents in adulthood

Class 10: Narcissism: Drowning in Self-Reflection with Robert Bosnak

In this talk Jungian psychoanalyst Robert Bosnak reviews how moral categories -such as ordinary selfishness- have seeped into therapeutic categories such as complex narcissism. The Narcissus myth refers to someone drowning in self-reflection. In this moment of drowning the reflection becomes possessive, dual consciousness is lost and one becomes identified with one’s self-image. Dual consciousness is the awareness of self while simultaneously experiencing oneself. Cultivation of this dual consciousness can help in dealing with narcissism in ourselves and others. It’s of vital importance to keep in mind the distinction between this psychological process and the assessment of ordinary moral despicableness. In this session, you will discover:

• How to recognize moments of ‘drowning in self-reflection’ in oneself and others
• What dual consciousness is
• How to cultivate dual consciousness to deal with narcissism

Class 11: Narcissistic Aspects of Religious Traditions with Lionel Corbett

In this session, Jungian Analyst Lionel Corbett, talks about religious narcissism. He explores the projection of human narcissistic vulnerability onto the biblical God-image. He discusses narcissism in the Christian tradition as well as narcissism in religious fundamentalism. Lionel´ s talk is followed up with a discussion.

Bonus Video 1: Narcissism and CoDependency with Craig Chalquist

In this 5 minute video Craig discusses how codependency is related to narcissism.

Bonus Video 2:Unpacking Narcissism: Discussion with Machiel Klerk & Alexander von Schlieffen

Audience members join Machiel Klerk and Alexander von Schlieffen for 90 minutes of conversation about narcissism and its many implications.

Bonus Handout: Setting Healthy Boundaries by Akke-Jeanne Klerk

When you find yourself in a position where you must spend time with a narcissist, setting clear boundaries is important in helping you maintain your well-being. This 3 page handout offers tips for self inquiry, self-protection and finding inner guidance.