{"id":43023,"date":"2021-05-30T12:25:39","date_gmt":"2021-05-30T12:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/?p=43023"},"modified":"2021-05-30T12:25:39","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T12:25:39","slug":"anima-and-animus-how-to-balance-divine-feminine-masculine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/anima-and-animus-how-to-balance-divine-feminine-masculine\/","title":{"rendered":"Anima and animus: how to balance divine feminine\/masculine"},"content":{"rendered":"

As poet Walt Whitman once wrote: \u201cI am large, I contain multitudes<\/em>.\u201d There is a reason why this simple yet beautiful verse has reverberated across history: it contains immense truth. We all contain multitudes. We are all a divine amalgamation of water and fire, soul and spirit, yin and yang.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ultimately, when we narrow everything down within us, we see that we contain two energies: that of the feminine and masculine. In psychology, these two polar opposite forces are known as the Anima<\/em> and Animus<\/em>. And learning to connect with, explore, and balance each of these inner forces is crucial for our well-being. In this article, we\u2019ll explore why.<\/p>\n

What is the Anima and Animus?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First coined by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung, the terms \u201cAnima<\/em>\u201d and \u201cAnimus<\/em>\u201d refer to the indwelling masculine and feminine energies that we all possess. Specifically, the anima<\/em> is thought to be the feminine part of a man\u2019s soul, and the animus<\/em> refers to the masculine part of a female\u2019s soul. Both the anima<\/em> and the animus<\/em> are ancient archetypes (or raw forms of energy) that every being contains. Let\u2019s explore these parts of us more in depth \u2026<\/p>\n

The Anima explained<\/strong><\/p>\n

Derived from Latin meaning \u201ca current of air, wind, breath, the vital principle, life, soul<\/em>,\u201d the anima<\/em> refers to the unconscious feminine dimension of a male which is often forgotten or repressed in daily life.<\/p>\n

As it\u2019s generally considered taboo to embrace the inner female side, men often fail to fully embody and embrace this fundamental energy. Sadly, if a male does embrace his anima<\/em>, he is often criticized as being \u201ca wimp<\/em>,\u201d \u201ca sissy<\/em>,\u201d \u201ca fag<\/em>,\u201d and other horribly derogatory names. However, in the perspective of psychology, in order to fully step into a mature masculine role, a man is necessary to go on a quest to explore this inner Divine Feminine energy. In other words, is necessary that he unites with the other half of his Soul.<\/p>\n

Often, this quest results in some sort of projection, that is, aiming to find the ideal lover or soul mate in the form of another idealized person. But we can never embody the anima<\/em> through another person \u2013 only through our own concerted effort. The key realization here is that is necessary that we find this force within us, rather than disown it onto another. As described by Jungian psychologist Dan Johnston, the man who has connected with his feminine anima<\/em> displays \u201ctenderness, patience, consideration and compassion<\/em>.\u201d However, repression of the female element within males often results in a negative anima<\/em> that emerges as personality traits such as \u201cvanity, moodiness, bitchiness, and sensitivity to hurt feelings<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, a man who has failed to embody his anima<\/em> also tends to fall prey to emotional numbness and toxic masculine traits such as aggression, ruthlessness, coldness, and a purely rational approach to life.<\/p>\n

The Animus explained<\/strong><\/p>\n

The animus<\/em>, which is a Latin word that means \u201cthe rational soul; life; the conscience powers, intelligence<\/em>,\u201d is the unconscious male dimension in the female psyche. Due to societal, parental, and cultural conditioning, the animus<\/em>, or male element within the woman, is often inhibited, restrained, and suppressed. But the animus<\/em> isn\u2019t always repressed \u2013 sometimes, it is actually over-emphasized and imposed upon women. Take Western society for example. Here is a culture that ruthlessly imposes masculine ideals such as stoicism, emotional numbness, and ruthlessness as ways to excel and succeed in life.<\/p>\n

All of these external elements can contribute towards a negative animus<\/em>, which can reveal itself in a woman\u2019s personality through argumentative tendencies, brutishness, destructiveness, and insensitivity. However, integrating a positive animus<\/em> into the female psyche can result in strength, assertiveness, levelheadedness, and rationality.<\/p>\n

Becoming whole = reclaiming the inner feminine and masculine<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the conscience of Jung \u2013 who derived many of his thoughts and teachings from Eastern Philosophies \u2013 in order for a person to be whole through the process of \u201cIndividuation,<\/em>\u201d a person is necessary to encounter and work to embrace their internal anima<\/em> or animus<\/em> (or Feminine and Masculine energy).<\/p>\n

As Jung goes on to explain, the process of this becoming whole (or Individuation) can be described as: becoming an \u201cin-dividual<\/em>,\u201d and, in so far as \u201cindividuality<\/em>\u201d embraces our innermost, last, and incomparable uniqueness, it also implies becoming one\u2019s own self. We could therefore translate individuation as \u201ccoming to selfhood<\/em>,\u201d or \u201cself-realization<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thus connecting with our inner male or female energy is essential for the development of self-awareness and understanding, which are important components of inner work and deep spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Nothing to do with your sexuality<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connecting to your inner anima<\/em> or animus<\/em> does not require you to become homosexual or lesbian, as commonly thought. Why? The anima<\/em> and animus<\/em> energy within us has nothing to do with sexuality. Instead, it\u2019s all about creating balance. In essence, what we are striving for is to balance the opposites within us to create a sense of Wholeness. In other words, what we are practicing is a living form of spiritual alchemy. The point isn\u2019t to give up your erotic preference or identity, but to become a more mature human being.<\/p>\n

How to connect with your Anima or Animus<\/strong><\/p>\n

So how can we connect with the inner Divine Feminine (anima<\/em>) or Divine Masculine (animus<\/em>)? Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n

For males \u2013 connecting to the Anima:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Connecting to the anima<\/em> for males is about understanding feminine energy which manifests itself as passivity, sensitivity, and emotionality. Suggestions include the following:<\/p>\n