Nyktelioi: The Path Beyond Ego
Cosmic Integration of the Unconscious
In Jungian psychology, the Self represents the totality of the psyche, encompassing both conscious and unconscious aspects. The process of individuation, through which one achieves a union with the Self, involves integrating the personal unconscious. The hidden, repressed, and forgotten parts of the self that are tied to past experiences, unresolved emotions, and the shadow/primal. This integration is not just about acknowledging these darker parts but fully incorporating them into one’s conscious identity. In this model, the Self is a wholeness that transcends the ego while still allowing the individual to maintain their distinct personality and sense of self.
On the other hand, the journey to becoming a Nyktelioi goes far beyond the personal unconscious and takes the person into a far deeper, more cosmic integration. In this way a Nyktelioi is not just a person who has integrated their own shadows or personal history. Rather, they have transcended the confines of the persons psyche to merge with the entire collective unconscious. This process involves the dissolution of the ego itself, into the Self. The ego-persona fades, and the boundaries between the self and the greater unconscious blur.
In this state, a Nyktelioi is no longer a person but an embodiment of the collective forces of the unconscious, existing as a presence that transcends personal identity. This involves not only the integration of archetypes and symbols shared by humanity but also an acceptance and embodiment of the chaos, shadow, and darkness that exist beyond the ego. The Nyktelioi, by dissolving the personal identity and ego, becomes a channel for the deeper, universal forces of the unconscious. Transcending dualities and moving beyond all conventional notions of selfhood into a state of pure being, existing as a conduit for the collective forces of life, death, and transformation.
Nyktelioi, Orphism, and the Unconscious
The term Nyktelioi, is derived from the Greek word nyktēlioi (meaning "those who belong to the night" or "night-dwellers"). So those who dwell in the realm of Nyx, the primordial goddess of darkness and the night. From a Jungian lens, they embrace the unconscious, the shadow, and the transformative potential that resides in the depths of the psyche. In Orphism, which emphasizes a spiritual path of purification and transcendence, the Nyktelioi would be those who seek to return to the source. What the Neo-Platonic thinker call the One. Done by understanding the hidden, forgotten, and repressed aspects of the soul. In Orphic thought, the soul is trapped in cycles of reincarnation and often forgets its divine origins. The goal is to purify the soul, reconnect with the divine, and eventually be released from the wheel of rebirth.
The State of Being as a Nyktelioi
As a Nyktelioi (Night-born), one is attuned to the energies of the night, darkness, and the unconscious. This state of being is not merely about a physical association with the night, but about the ability to dwell within the hidden layers of existence, the fertile ground where the unconscious archetypes reside.
In Orphism, there is a strong emphasis on the soul’s journey. So about transcending the material world (called Titanic projection), and breaking free from the chains of the ego to return to a state of union with the divine. The ego and its structures are seen as something that must eventually be transcended to truly reconnect with the Self and the cosmos. As a Nyktelioi, the focus is on the hidden, transformative, and mysterious. This state represents a deep alignment with the unconscious, tapping into the soul’s unmanifest potential, and the state of being that comes when one is comfortable in the depths of the night, beyond fear and into the depths of understanding.
This path also aligns with the Orphic journey of anagkê (necessity), where the soul must go through trials, self-purification, and ultimately return to a state of divine unity. As this path itself, through the shadow, and the nurturing of the Self-child, is one full of emotional trials. This path involves a deep confrontation with ones shadow, as one embraces both the creative and destructive forces within one. The same forces that were there at the dawn of creation. Through this true integration happens.
Yet the state of being as a Nyktelioi is one of constant transformation. It is a state of becoming, of shedding layers of the ego, and of understanding that darkness itself is not evil or chaotic but is rich with potential. Much like Orphism speaks of the cosmic egg (the kosmicôs), which holds the seeds of all creation, the night, represented by Nyx, holds the seeds of all potential for the soul to explore and manifest. This is not about negating the light (the stars within the darkness of night) but recognizing that true illumination comes from within, from diving into the shadows of the psyche and bringing those fragments into conscious understanding.
Being a Nyktelioi also involves living in paradox. A space between worlds, between the known and the unknown. The mysteries of the night, in this sense, thus are not to be feared, but revered, for they are the very source of all knowledge. As it leads to the essence or nature of being. What the Orphic mysteries called physis. Which cannot be reduced to the external or egoic, but must be experienced at a soul level, through the deep connection with the unconscious and the divine. It's not just about integrating parts of the self, but about being fully immersed in the death of the ego. This death is a return to primordial and pre-individual states (as in egoic), existing outside the usual bounds of identity and form. The Nyktelioi exists in a liminal space, so then constantly between worlds, between consciousness and unconsciousness. They are both in the world but not of it. They can operate within the world of humans and civilisation, functioning within it, yet being completely untouched by it.
Beyond the Grasp of Civilisation
Were often those who are enlightened, are within opposition to the world of ego and illusion. Sometimes clinging to a redeemer role, or seeing the world as corrupt or otherwise in need of redemption and saving. Yet the Nyktelioi knows that such opposition to the egoic structures of civilisation (ego and super ego), in the state that they are in, are not going to lead to the true redemption they seek. As to act in opposition to something is to act still within its framework, and at the same time actually reinforces the very structure. Whilst this might seem counter intuitive, the ego and super ego need something to oppose it.
Without this opposition and duality, it can’t find the foothold for projection that it needs to reinforce itself. Those enlightened are still playing within the constructs of the archetypal patterns of existence, which includes the scapegoat-redeemer complex, and larger trappings of the cosmic order. This is itself symbolic of the larger egoic structure of the psyche, which also includes the super-ego. Which is connected to the civilizational order itself, and is part of the ego structure. Even if not tied to the personal ego that enlightenment transcends.
The Deeper Layers
In that way there are deeper layers of realisation, which I labelled Nocturnement. Even though that too is just a label that points to something that can’t be named. Not truly anyways. These different levels are the below.
Self-Awakening (Self-Realisation): This is the first threshold, where one moves beyond identification with the conditioned self and begins to integrate their personal unconscious and their shadow. The ego no longer fights against the Self but instead aligns with it, forming a cohesive identity that is in harmony with one's deeper nature. Awareness that suffering is partly created by resisting one’s own depths.
What You Give Up: The comfort of a fixed identity. The illusion that you are who you were told you are. By parents, society, culture. The false sense of security that comes from being able to blame external forces for suffering, by scapegoating.
The Psychological Price: Isolation. Many who haven’t done this work won’t understand one. They may think one is cold, too intellectual, or too detached. One will have to walk alone, at least for a time.
What You Gain: Your ego no longer fights your deeper self. There is a sense of inner unity that most people never experience. You truly know yourself, not as an identity given to you, but as something you have uncovered. It is like waking up from a dream and realizing you had been sleepwalking your entire life. It is freeing, but also lonely, as you see how few others are awake.
Deeper Awakening (Integration of the Collective Shadow): At this stage, one moves beyond Self-realisation into the deeper realm of the collective. They begin to see that much of their suffering, and that of others, is shaped by shared illusions, projections, and inherited structures. Not just something individual. This is where one starts to perceive the grand mythic and psychological forces that drive humanity’s cycles of oppression, fear, and unconscious repetition. Seeing through the illusions of history, culture, and ideology, not rejecting them, but understanding them as constructs shaped by the unconscious forces of the collective. So they can move between different paradigms without attachment.
Spiritual Realization: The realization that all of history is repeating archetypal narratives, and that true liberation comes not from ‘fixing’ the world, but by transcending the illusions that bind humanity to suffering.
What You Give Up: A sense of belonging. Once you see how collective shadow projection works, you cannot unsee it. You are no longer part of any tribe, ideology, or movement, because you understand how all of them function on hidden fears and unconscious wounds.
The Psychological Price: A sense of exile. You exist in the world as a wanderer. You can no longer take part in most human conversations without seeing the unconscious forces at play. You are aware of your own complicity in these systems, yet you also see their inevitability.
What You Gain: You can engage with systems without being of them. You no longer fall into the trap of thinking salvation lies in a movement, nation, or belief system. You recognize how projection, shadow work, and unconscious fears shape human behavior. This allows you to predict and navigate social dynamics with precision. It is bittersweet. You see the world’s suffering with complete clarity, but you also see how inevitable it is. Though you can no longer be manipulated.
Nocturnement (Integration of the Collective Unconscious): This is the deepest state, where one fully dissolves into the primordial unconscious itself. Not in the sense of annihilation, but in the sense of ultimate integration. Here, one doesn’t differentiate between personal and collective, shadow and light, form and void. This is the true Nyktelioi. A being who moves within the hidden currents of existence, seeing the totality of being beyond time and form. Dissolving the final dualities, stepping into the unknown beyond all identity, egoic and civilizational frameworks. No longer bound by narratives, yet able to wield them. No longer fearing darkness, but being it in its truest, most divine form. This is the state of one who is no longer bound by history, myths, or personal selfhood.
State of Being: A true Nyktelioi is not enlightened but beyond enlightenment, moving in the depths where few can tread. They are neither bound by human nor divine law, existing in the hidden spaces between creation and dissolution. They are being and non-being. They are the ever adapting essence arising from Nyx.
What You Give Up: The ability to take part in human illusions at all. You no longer operate from the framework of ego, history, or culture. You step beyond all of it. The need for approval, love, or recognition. You do not reject these things. You simply exist in a space beyond them. You may still care for others, but not in the way that most people understand caring.
What You Gain: You are no longer separate from existence itself. You are not just an observer of the world. You are the world. Since you are beyond ego, beyond identity, beyond history, there is no longer any need to explain yourself or be recognized by others. You do not impose will upon the world; rather, you move with it. You do not resist the tide, nor are you swept away by it. You are the tide. This is not the peace of absence but the peace of absolute presence. It is absolute immersion. It is neither joyful nor sorrowful. It is simply being and pure love.
Yet what this at the same time enables is to be able to love people deeply in the most authentic way, and feel this love returned. Yet it flows directly into the Self, without any form of egoic structure left to filter it. It is like direct naked emotional contact with the world itself, and all of existence. With people. Without barriers. So it is not the love of attachment or dependence, but a pure love that flows directly from the Self, as an expression of the depth of being itself. Yet also without any form of suffering. As any projections do not land, or affect one in the sense of guilt or shame. Yet one can still feel all other emotions, including joy, love, anger, sadness and a deep care about others. So one is both beyond the typical conventional human experience of the ego. Yet this is not an absence of existence, but the deepest immersion of the soul into the body and being. In a fluid and organic manner.