Psyche Design

Introversion seeks the universal from the personal perspective, while extroversion seeks personal from the universal perspective. These two orientations of the psyche are coming at life from a different perspective, so chemical reactions can occur when they bump into one another. 

In this episode, I'm joined by ENFP Nate Rasa to discuss the dynamics of feeling and thinking. In my opinion, the best way to truly understand the 8 cognitive functions is by accurately applying the lens of the two orientations to the four main functions. 

What chemical reactions happen between introverted feeling (Fi) and extroverted feeling (Fe)? What can it tell us about the essence of these functions? 

What chemical reactions happen between introverted thinking (Ti) and extroverted thinking (Te)? What can it tell us about the essence of these functions? 

Next week, we'll be back to continue the conversation around the dynamics of intuition and sensing. 

As above, so below.

Our inner universe is a microcosm of the surrounding, external universe. This inner world holds just as much complexity as what’s outside of us, but scaled down.

Think of extroversion as a telescope and introversion as a microscope. Both perspectives are important and fascinating in their own way.

In which universe does your ego live? This is the question to answer when you’re deciding if you’re an introvert or extrovert.

It’s not about how drained or overwhelmed you feel by people. That has more to do with sociability, anxiety levels, context, how well you jive with the people in question, and more.

For example — ESTJ and ENTJs are focused on the external universe of logic and reason, which means they may feel drained by social expectations and feel “introverted,” but their attention is external.

ENFP and ENTPs are focused on the external universe of possibilities and potential, which means they may not appear fully present or engaged with physical reality. But their mind is still directed outward.

“Introvert” and “Extrovert” are just labels that show you your ego’s starting point, and they’re not meant to be identity traps. We all have a complex inner world, and exist in the external world! Knowing where you begin can help grow your awareness of both.

As above, so below.

Our inner universe is a microcosm of the surrounding, external universe. This inner world holds just as much complexity as what’s outside of us, but scaled down.

Think of extroversion as a telescope and introversion as a microscope. Both perspectives are important and fascinating in their own way.

In which universe does your ego live? This is the question to answer when you’re deciding if you’re an introvert or extrovert.

It’s not about how drained or overwhelmed you feel by people. That has more to do with sociability, anxiety levels, context, how well you jive with the people in question, and more.

For example — ESTJ and ENTJs are focused on the external universe of logic and reason, which means they may feel drained by social expectations and feel “introverted,” but their attention is external.

ENFP and ENTPs are focused on the external universe of possibilities and potential, which means they may not appear fully present or engaged with physical reality. But their mind is still directed outward.

“Introvert” and “Extrovert” are just labels that show you your ego’s starting point, and they’re not meant to be identity traps. We all have a complex inner world, and exist in the external world! Knowing where you begin can help grow your awareness of both.

Imagine that you were to split your psyche into four main groups. These groups (or functions) are the four, foundational pillars of your consciousness: feeling, thinking, sensing, and intuition. 

No matter what personality type you are, your Self is responsible for maintaining all four pillars. But your ego is more attached to one of these functions more than the others. While we all feel, think, sense, and intuit, one of these functions reigns superior over the other areas. At its best, this dominant function can act as a transformational leader bringing together the whole psyche. At its worst, your dominant function may act as a dictator, with an ego attachment to one area of the psyche and neglecting all the others. 

In this episode, we're going to explore the essence of the four functions of feeling, thinking, sensing, and intuition. 

Imagine that you were to split your psyche into four main groups. These groups (or functions) are the four, foundational pillars of your consciousness: feeling, thinking, sensing, and intuition. 

No matter what personality type you are, your Self is responsible for maintaining all four pillars. But your ego is more attached to one of these functions more than the others. While we all feel, think, sense, and intuit, one of these functions reigns superior over the other areas. At its best, this dominant function can act as a transformational leader bringing together the whole psyche. At its worst, your dominant function may act as a dictator, with an ego attachment to one area of the psyche and neglecting all the others. 

In this episode, we're going to explore the essence of the four functions of feeling, thinking, sensing, and intuition. 

Becoming aware of your personal personality pattern and the 8 holistic cognitive processes is not limiting — it opens up the door. 

I'm not here to label you as an extrovert or an introvert, as a feeler or a judger. The most useful aspect of personality theory is how it can be used as a language of the psyche. The 16 personality patterns and the 8 cognitive processes are the vocab terms. Understanding what these terms mean will help you reflect on your own cognitive patterns, and help you navigate the psyche smoother.

As you learn this language, not only can you use the vocab terms as tools for diving deep into the shadow — you can also better communicate your experience with others who process the world differently than you. 

Language is a tool that allows you to understand the intangible by giving your mind something to play with. Jungian personality theory does just that. When you become aware of your type pattern, you can bear witness to the parts of your psyche that are conscious, as well as the aspects that are in the shadow. The awareness of your innate core allows for the totality of the Self to emerge. In other words, this awareness gets your ego on board with your awakening journey. You don't have to do anything or fix anything within you. Your Self will emerge on its own.

The key 8 cognitive processes are the 8 types of consciousness. They are essentially the mental energies that makeup the way your mind perceives and responds to the world around you. So if you're interested in expanding your consciousness, knowing these 8 cognitive processes (and how your personality pattern reacts to those functions) is like looking at the map of your psyche. You are in charge of where you go on your journey, the map just opens up your awareness and leads to metacognition. 

Becoming aware of your personal personality pattern and the 8 holistic cognitive processes is not limiting — it opens up the door. 

I'm not here to label you as an extrovert or an introvert, as a feeler or a judger. The most useful aspect of personality theory is how it can be used as a language of the psyche. The 16 personality patterns and the 8 cognitive processes are the vocab terms. Understanding what these terms mean will help you reflect on your own cognitive patterns, and help you navigate the psyche smoother.

As you learn this language, not only can you use the vocab terms as tools for diving deep into the shadow — you can also better communicate your experience with others who process the world differently than you. 

Language is a tool that allows you to understand the intangible by giving your mind something to play with. Jungian personality theory does just that. When you become aware of your type pattern, you can bear witness to the parts of your psyche that are conscious, as well as the aspects that are in the shadow. The awareness of your innate core allows for the totality of the Self to emerge. In other words, this awareness gets your ego on board with your awakening journey. You don't have to do anything or fix anything within you. Your Self will emerge on its own.

The key 8 cognitive processes are the 8 types of consciousness. They are essentially the mental energies that makeup the way your mind perceives and responds to the world around you. So if you're interested in expanding your consciousness, knowing these 8 cognitive processes (and how your personality pattern reacts to those functions) is like looking at the map of your psyche. You are in charge of where you go on your journey, the map just opens up your awareness and leads to metacognition.