A few quotes from this excellent paper [Stein. Individuation: Inner Work. JOURNAL OF JUNGIAN THEORY AND PRACTICE (2005) vol. 7 (2) pp. 1-13. Available online here]
The principle of individuation defines the essence of the human. It is
absolutely fundamental to human beings to distinguish themselves from their
surroundings. This is the essential nature of individual consciousness: to be itself,
it must create distinctions and separateness. It is in accord with human nature,
therefore, to seek individuation. Individuation is not optional, not conditional, not
subject to vagaries of cultural differences. It is essential.
The opus of individuation, therefore, requires careful analysis on two fronts:
on the persona side, to differentiate the subject from the social collective all
around and to dissolve the identifications that have built up over time in one’s
personal history, and on the anima/animus side, to differentiate from the collec-
tive unconscious as the fantasies and archetypal images emerge and invite
grandiose identification with them as a compensation for what has been lost
through the analysis of the persona.
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