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Systems Thinking, Jungian Psychology, and the Quest for Wholeness


During my bachelor's studies in industrial engineering, I struggled to find meaning in the coursework and lacked motivation—until I took a course on systems thinking, which reshaped my perspective and reignited my interest in learning. There was something almost magical about it, and right from the start, I could see that its applications went beyond just industrial and business contexts—its principles seemed to apply to countless aspects of life.


My passion for this way of thinking became the driving force behind my academic journey. It took me from a point where I wasn’t sure I’d even finish my bachelor’s to completing two master’s programs, a PhD, and years of postdoctoral work—all focused on research, applications and teaching systems thinking and system dynamics.


When I reached the psychological midpoint of my life, I realized that my focus needed to shift—from the external systems that shape the world around me to the internal systems that constitute my own psyche. It was time to explore the inner landscapes and unravel the complexities within. This calling led me to the C.G. Jung Institute, marking the beginning of a profound six-year journey.


Through Jungian psychology, I became acquainted with the systems attitude—an innate function of our psyche that strives for wholeness through the harmonization and integration of opposites. I came to realize that systems thinking is not merely a method but a product of this deep-seated intrinsic functioning of our psyche.


Rooted in the Greek word sýstēma—meaning 'a whole composed of several parts'—the shared linguistic roots of whole, holistic, health and healing highlight the deep connection between well-being and wholeness. The systems attitude, through the integration of opposites, serves as a guiding force in our journey back to wholeness and health.


This article explores the connection between systems thinking, the systems attitude, and the psyche, and how they relate to wholeness and mental well-being. Let me begin by sharing some observations and new perspectives.


Persian Mandala

An observation

Thinking is often equated with analytical thinking—the process of breaking things down into smaller parts to understand them more clearly. Educational systems, from school to university, predominantly emphasize this approach, prioritizing analysis and deconstruction as key learning methods.


Consider the classic "spot the difference" game, where players identify subtle discrepancies between two nearly identical images. This is a simple yet telling example of how we are trained to focus on distinctions rather than connections. Similarly, in academia, there are no courses explicitly designed to integrate knowledge across disciplines—reinforcing a fragmented approach to learning.


Another observation

Systems thinking is often mistakenly perceived as the opposite of analytical thinking—focusing solely on the bigger picture and synthesizing elements to reveal how everything connects. In this view, analytical thinking is likened to seeing the trees, while systems thinking is associated with seeing the entire forest. In reality, the true counterpart to analytical thinking—often associated with vertical thinking—is synthetic thinking, which aligns more with lateral thinking.


While analysis breaks things down, synthesis zooms out to reveal patterns and interconnections. For example, rather than deconstructing a car into its mechanical components to understand it, a systems perspective examines how the car influences air pollution, energy consumption, urban sprawl, public health (e.g., obesity due to car dependency), social interactions, and mobility patterns. This shift allows us to see not just how a car functions, but how it shapes the world around it in complex and often unexpected ways.


 
Nature of systems thinking

True systems thinking is about seeing both the forest and the trees simultaneously, integrating multiple perspectives into a cohesive and dynamic framework. Rather than privileging one mode of thought over another, it seamlessly unites synthetic and analytical, qualitative and quantitative thinking, blending them into a unified whole.


A true systems thinker does not favor one approach at the expense of another, nor do they oscillate between opposing modes of thought such as analysis and synthesis. Instead, they recognize that synthesis is embedded within analysis, just as analysis is embedded within synthesis, enabling a more fluid, integrated, and holistic way of understanding complexity.


The systems attitude

To truly understand systems thinking, we must first grasp the systems attitude—an innate capacity within the psyche to hold the tension between opposing polarities and integrate them into a higher unity beyond rigid dichotomies. When applied to thought, it gives rise to systems thinking, a mindset integrations opposing modes of thought, enabling us to engage our full cognitive potential.


The systems attitude acts as an antidote to fragmentation, compartmentalization, lop-sidedness and one-sidedness, fostering harmony and balance by striving to integrate opposing forces into a cohesive whole. Within the psyche, it mirrors the role of the archetypal king, whose purpose is to unite, bring coherence, and create harmony within the realm.


Integration of opposites

Pairs of opposites are woven into the fabric of both our inner and outer lives. Careful observation reveals that at any given moment, we may find ourselves navigating the dynamic interplay between opposing poles—synthesis and analysis, thinking and feeling, conscious and unconscious, abstract and concrete, personal and professional, individual and collective, etc.


Their tension is not merely a source of conflict but a driving force for psychological growth, much like a battery generates energy through the interaction of positive and negative poles. Over-identifying with one pole while neglecting the other, we risk one-sidedness, leading to mental and emotional imbalance. It is this interplay of opposites that fuels the psychic energy essential for transformation and development. True well-being arises not from suppressing one side in favor of the other but from holding the tension between and integration of opposites.

 
A visual metaphor

One-sidedness is akin to a point—a fixed position with no dimension or depth. Recognizing and acknowledging the tension of opposites is like a line, introducing a one-dimensional space where contrast and duality become visible. The integration of opposites through the systems attitude, forms a triangle, expanding our understanding into a two-dimensional space, where opposing forces no longer stand in opposition but contribute to a greater whole.


Process of integration of opposites
A visual metaphor capturing the process of integration of opposites

If we represent the pairs of opposites as red and blue, a superficial compromise might simply divide the space between the two colors, creating a separation that maintains their distinction without true integration. However, true transformation and transcendence of the tension would result in purple—a new synthesis that is neither solely red nor blue but a harmonious blending of both, creating something entirely new.


 
Practical implications

  • Whatever state we find ourselves in, it is crucial to remember that we operate within a dynamic interplay of opposites. Our opposing pole—whether another perspective, feeling, or way of being—may not yet be visible or consciously acknowledged.

  • Opposing polarities are often perceived as antagonistic, creating resistance and discomfort. A useful starting point is to pay closer attention to the people, ideas, and situations that trigger frustration, anger, or annoyance within us, as they often embody the very opposite polarity we have yet to integrate.

  • The aspects we tend to reject, criticize, or struggle to accept frequently serve as mirrors, reflecting qualities we have yet to develop or integrate within ourselves. This process requires stepping back from our current viewpoint, loosening our attachment to it, and embracing the possibility that both polarities hold essential insights.

  • It is important to resist the urge for quick compromise or an impulsive shift to the opposite position. Instead, we must sit with the discomfort of holding both opposing forces without rushing to favor one over the other. This requires patience, a willingness to embrace uncertainty, and the ability to suspend judgment.

  • Carl Jung believed that when we attempt to address life’s most profound challenges solely through conscious effort, we often become trapped in repetitive, unproductive cycles. The absence of an immediate solution from the perspective of our conscious ego does not mean resolution is unattainable.

  • It is vital to recognize that our current level of awareness is often insufficient to fully resolve the tension we experience. This realization can be humbling—helping us relinquish the need to control every outcome. In doing so, we create the conditions for deeper layers of the psyche to emerge and guide us.

  • With patience and the practice of deep listening, the unconscious gradually reveals itself through dreams, fantasies, symbols, and synchronicities. Engaging with these messages—preferably with the guidance of a Jungian analyst or through reflective practices such as journaling or active imagination—plants the seeds for an expanded state of consciousness. As Carl Jung suggests, this expanded awareness allows us to outgrow and dissolve problems that could not be resolved at our previous level of consciousness.

  • True transformation begins when we embrace the initial tension as a necessary and meaningful step on the path to wholeness. Instead of viewing it as an obstacle, we learn to see it as a catalyst for inner growth—a message from our higher self, nudging us toward a deeper and more expansive awareness.

  • The process does not end; rather, it recurs at a deeper level. Every resolution, no matter how balanced it feels, can eventually become another form of one-sidedness. Growth requires us to continuously ask: What is the counterpoint to my position now? This ongoing cycle of recognizing new tensions, holding them, and integrating their opposites is a lifelong quest that Carl Jung called individuation.


 

Final remarks


It took me decades of study and growth to understand why I was so drawn to systems thinking and why it always felt almost magical to me. Beneath this fascination was an unconscious drive to integrate opposites—a pull toward wholeness and healing that I only later recognized.


My studies in psychoanalysis were guided by the same inner impulse—the need to reconcile the conscious and unconscious dimensions of my psyche. These studies were not merely a source of knowledge; they fulfilled a deeper need, a movement toward recognition and holding the tension of opposites to allow something greater to emerge.


Now I understand that our life experiences and studies extend beyond simply acquiring knowledge to navigate the external world. They serve a deeper, often unseen purpose—the expansion of our awareness and the cultivation of a profound connection to our inner landscape. This is what I strive to consciously integrate into every aspect of my learning and service, to support both myself and others on the journey of healing and becoming whole.


To conclude I believe T.S Elliot's verses beautifully sum up the ideas presented here:


"The endless cycle of idea and action,

Endless invention, endless experiment,

Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;

Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;

Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.

All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,

All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,

But nearness to death no nearer to God.

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"


The world within is a realm of stillness and silence, where the Word and wisdom quietly dwell, inviting us beyond the weight of information and the restless pursuit of answers. Here, understanding is not gathered but revealed—layer by layer, breath by breath—guiding us to a deeper sense of ourselves and the world that holds us. In surrendering to this quiet unfolding, we rediscover the essence of life, so often drowned in the ceaseless noise of knowing and solving.

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