Carl Jung and the Paradox of Strength in Surrender

No wonder all 12-step programs begin with this weird Step 1: "We have admitted we are powerless before… (you name it)."

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Every time I asked my alcoholic dad if he could quit drinking, he would say with a smirk, “Sure, any time. I am not an alcoholic.” He died several years ago after binging for a week.

Over time, I have seen this strange pattern almost universally. I see it in myself, I see it in others, I see it in nations. When we think we are powerful, we …