The Sacred Image C G Jung And The Western Embrace Of Tibetan Buddhism

The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung made a number of revolutionary contributions to modern Western psychology, and his pioneering work was greatly enhanced through his contact with Eastern religions, especially Tibetan Buddhism. In these esoteric traditions Jung discovered a holistic approach and a deep affinity for nature, and in the yogic and tantric disciplines he encountered a complex symbolic world that resonated with him deeply. Jung was particularly drawn to the highly articulated and intricate symbolism of Tibetan Tantra, which provided considerable support for his seminal theories on the universal archetypes and the collective unconscious. His cross-cultural and interdisciplinary engagement with Indo-Tibetan spirituality later proved instrumental in establishing the basis of the modern East-West dialogue in which the religions of the East—and in particular Buddhism—have become a central focus. Jung is also widely acknowledged as the father of transpersonal psychology, which, in seeking to integrate the wisdom traditions of East and West, stands at the forefront of contemporary studies in human consciousness and mysticism.

The Essence of Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism cuts to the heart of two very different yet remarkably similar traditions. The author touches on many of their major ideas: the collective unconscious and karma, archetypes and deities, the analyst and the spiritual friend, and mandalas. Within Tibetan Buddhism she focuses on tantra and relates its emphasis on spiritual transformation, also a major concern of Jung. This expanded edition includes new material on the integration of the two traditions, and the importance of these paths of the heart in today's unsteady world.

An ancient Eastern spiritual discipline is reconciled with a contemporary Western psychological system.

Examines the work of Carl Jung in relation to Eastern religion, the wisdom teachings of the Sophia, Sufi mysticism, and visionary spirituality • Reveals the spiritual values underlying the psychoanalytic theories of Carl Jung • Explores the role of the Gnostic Sophia with respect to Jung’s most controversial essay, “Answer to Job” • Presents new revelations about Sufi mysticism and its relationship to esoteric Buddhist practices • Shows how the underlying spiritual traditions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity mesh with the spiritual teachings of Buddhism Henry Corbin (1903-1978) was one of the most important French philosophers and orientalists of the 20th century. In this collection of previously unpublished writings, Corbin examines the work of Carl Jung in relationship to the deep spiritual traditions of Eastern religion, the esoteric wisdom teachings of Sophia, the transformational symbolism of alchemy, and Sufi mysticism. Looking at the many methods of inner exploration in the East, including the path of the Sufi and Taoist alchemy, Corbin reveals how the modern Western world does not have its own equivalent except in psychotherapy. Expanding Jung’s findings in light of his own studies of Gnostic and esoteric Islamic traditions, he offers a unique insight into the spiritual values underlying Jung’s psychoanalytic theories. Corbin analyzes Jung’s works on Buddhism, providing his own understanding of the tradition and its relationship to Sufi mysticism, and explores the role of the Gnostic Sophia with respect to Jung’s most controversial essay, “Answer to Job.” He also studies the rapport between the Gnostic wisdom of Sophia and Buddhist teachings as well as examining Sophia through the lens of Jewish mysticism. Explaining how Islamic fundamentalists have turned their back on the mystic traditions of Sufism, Corbin reveals how totalitarianism of all kinds threatens the transformative power of the imagination and the transcendent reality of the individual soul. He shows how the underlying spiritual traditions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity mesh with the spiritual teachings of Buddhism and reinforce the unity of the esoteric teachings of the world’s great religions. Comparing the imaginal realm with Jung’s archetypal field, he shows how we could transform the world by spiritualizing Jung’s methods, enabling us to transcend duality and make the created world divine.

A collection of essays on two important sources of spiritual and psychological insight. Includes Jung's essays on Buddhism and his correspondence with Buddhist Zen master Shin'ichi Hisamatsu.

'These writings of his are strongly alive; in most instances Jung does not present us with final solutions and last words about any of the great East-West problems, but rather with suggestions for a deeper kind of approach, thus opening up new planes of investigation.' - Journal of Analytical Psychology “My own world of European consciousness had become peculiarly thin... it is quite possible that India is the real world and that the white man lives in a madhouse of abstractions.” C.G. Jung was inspired to write these words after his very first visit to India. Long concerned with the hold that myth and archetype had on the human psyche, it was inevitable that the legendary psychoanalyst would turn his attention to Eastern modes of thought. Psychology and the East collects together many of Jung’s most memorable writings on the subject, including his Psychological commentaries on the I Ching and The Tibetan Book of the Dead, his thoughts on Buddhism and Islam and a full travelogue of that fateful first encounter with India in 1936.

Jung and Eastern Thought is an assessment of the impact of the East on Jung’s life and teaching. Along with the strong and continuing interest in the psychology of Carl Jung is a growing awareness of the extent to which Eastern thought, especially Indian ideas, influenced his thinking. This book identifies those influences that he found useful and those he rejected. In Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist cultures, yoga is a central conception and practice. Jung was at once fascinated and critical of yoga. Part I of the book examines Jung’s encounter with yoga and his strong warning against the uncritical adoption of yoga by the modern West. In Part II Jung’s love/hate relationship with Eastern thought is examined in light of his attitude toward karma and rebirth, Kundalini yoga, mysticism, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Coward’s observations are rounded out by contributions from J. Borelli and J. Jordens. Dr. Borelli’s Annotated Bibliography is an invaluable contribution to bibliographic material on Jung, yoga, and Eastern religion. A special feature is the Introduction by Joseph Henderson, Jung’s most senior North American student and one of the few Jungians to have recognized the important influence of the East on Jung’s thinking.