Psychology and Western Religion : (From Vols. 11, 18 Collected Works) (Jung Extracts)

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Summary: Jung on Christianity
Review: The psychology of Carl Jung (1875-1961) is the system of psychology most receptive to the beneficial influence of religion in a person's life. In this selection of writings, mostly from Volume 11 of the Collected Works, Jung focuses on the strengths and limitations of western religion. For Jung, western religion is the organic unity of Church Christianity and its "shadows": Gnosticism and alchemy. Two thirds of the book consist of two long essays, "A Psychological Approach to the Dogma of the Trinity" (1942) and "Transformation Symbolism in the Mass" (1942). In these essays, as well as the shorter ones, Jung walks a fine line. His analysis could scandalize a traditional (and otherwise unimaginative) Christian believer; at the same time, Jung's profound respect for the depth and wisdom of Christianity stands in stark contrast to the flippant disregard some elements of the New Age movement pay it. For Jung, Christianity (with its shadows) is an organic system that contains, though sometimes in obscure ways, everything needed for psychology growth and individuation. For anyone who was raised Christian but who now finds Christianity unaccountably unsatisfactory, this book could catalyze renewed spiritual explorations in any one of number of directions.

Rating:
Summary: Jung on Christianity
Review: The psychology of Carl Jung (1875-1961) is the system of psychology most receptive to the beneficial influence of religion in a person's life. In this selection of writings, mostly from Volume 11 of the Collected Works, Jung focuses on the strengths and limitations of western religion. For Jung, western religion is the organic unity of Church Christianity and its "shadows": Gnosticism and alchemy. Two thirds of the book consist of two long essays, "A Psychological Approach to the Dogma of the Trinity" (1942) and "Transformation Symbolism in the Mass" (1942). In these essays, as well as the shorter ones, Jung walks a fine line. His analysis could scandalize a traditional (and otherwise unimaginative) Christian believer; at the same time, Jung's profound respect for the depth and wisdom of Christianity stands in stark contrast to the flippant disregard some elements of the New Age movement pay it. For Jung, Christianity (with its shadows) is an organic system that contains, though sometimes in obscure ways, everything needed for psychology growth and individuation. For anyone who was raised Christian but who now finds Christianity unaccountably unsatisfactory, this book could catalyze renewed spiritual explorations in any one of number of directions.