And thank YOU Jason! I too am grateful that I ‘found’ Jung (or, perhaps, that Jungian thought found me).
I relate to his quote at the top in that I see him as an example (on how to explore life) rather than a religion (to be followed). Dipping into the Jung-themed Facebook groups it feels like many view him as a prophet - quoted or invoked without much context or reflection.
That’s why I’m also grateful that you highlighted the wider community of writers, podcasters and analysts supporting a greater awareness of his work. All have helped me personally and have a role to play.
I haven’t come across many problems (on an individual or a collective level) that can’t be solved or tackled without a necessary expansion of awareness or consciousness. Jung’s life task (IMO) serves that goal, which is why a greater appreciation of him is so needed.
Thanks for your reflections. It's always crucial to keep a sense of independence, and it is certainly okay to look at Jung with a critical eye. His own attitude was that psychology was for the sake of life.
The theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches that religion is a way and not the goal. "Religion is for God's sake," he says, meaning it is not for its own sake, its own preservation. It should point beyond itself.
Something similar could be said about Jungian psychology (or any psychology). It should always point beyond itself. It is not for the sake of its own perpetuation. It's not a dogma. It is valid as long as it serves life.
And thank YOU Jason! I too am grateful that I ‘found’ Jung (or, perhaps, that Jungian thought found me).
I relate to his quote at the top in that I see him as an example (on how to explore life) rather than a religion (to be followed). Dipping into the Jung-themed Facebook groups it feels like many view him as a prophet - quoted or invoked without much context or reflection.
That’s why I’m also grateful that you highlighted the wider community of writers, podcasters and analysts supporting a greater awareness of his work. All have helped me personally and have a role to play.
I haven’t come across many problems (on an individual or a collective level) that can’t be solved or tackled without a necessary expansion of awareness or consciousness. Jung’s life task (IMO) serves that goal, which is why a greater appreciation of him is so needed.
Thanks for your reflections. It's always crucial to keep a sense of independence, and it is certainly okay to look at Jung with a critical eye. His own attitude was that psychology was for the sake of life.
The theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches that religion is a way and not the goal. "Religion is for God's sake," he says, meaning it is not for its own sake, its own preservation. It should point beyond itself.
Something similar could be said about Jungian psychology (or any psychology). It should always point beyond itself. It is not for the sake of its own perpetuation. It's not a dogma. It is valid as long as it serves life.
Such a thoughtful post. Thank you for the list of sources included near the end!
Thank you, Mark!