Brilliant article, thank you. I know i've certainly struggled at points to understand what I have experienced and found people like Jung incredibly helpful in framing the dark experiences as opportunities for spiritual breakthrough rather than simply breakdown, although for sure it was some of that too.

I also think our culture's emphasis on happy mind states and rejecting the necessity of the opposite means that a lot of people are never allowed to experience the darker realms and as a result stay stuck. I've seen way too many people who seemed like they were feeling necessary, difficult emotions encouraged to medicate it away. I'm not totally against medication but can't help but feel in some cases that an inevitable and important process was delayed.

I love this Jung quote and your article reminded me of it: 'No tree can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell'.