The Essence of Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism: Western and Eastern Paths to the Heart

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Summary: Prescription for the 21st Century
Review: Wisdom Publications has issued a new 2003 edition of the 1986 classic by Radmila Moacanin. In 22 pages, she provides with exquisite clarity the most concise summary available of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism. This compelling overview will provide both a novice and an experienced practicioner with a few insights, undoubtedly due to the depth of the author's insight. Tying the essence of Vajrayana Buddism to Jungian psychology has always been, in my view, the best way to articulate the experience of Tibetan diety practice to the Western mind. The Tibetan tankas used for meditative practice are not only beautiful works of art. They are powerful devices that can provide a window into an alternative reality. The encounter with a deity (or with a Jungian archtype) results in a stronger force which compels the practitioner to take another path. One no longer chooses a goal, it chooses him or her. The goal becomes the manifestation in practical reality of one's higher Self. Experienced initially as something "other," the Self embodied as the diety or archtype, shatters the conventional ego-centric view of the world and liberates the mind from self-imposed imprisonment.

The encounter with unconscious forces can be risky. Many Western teachers have recommended depth psychology and a thorough analysis as a prerequisite to the journey. At a minimum, it would help everyone to gain familiarity with unconscious contents and how to deal with them. Failing that, encountering deep feelings unexpectedly in the experience of daily life, as everyone does at one time or another, can be a disorienting experience. Fear and uncertainty can lead to negative actions or support of irrational idealism leading to failure or destruction of life and relationships, while positive acceptance can lead to transformation, caring, love, and reconciliation. Jungian psychology can prepare one for deity meditation and the rapid path of Vajrayana Buddhism, help smooth out the bumps in the road along the way, and train one for the inevitable life-changing forces encountered at the most unexpected times. Jung's vision is timeless:

"Every individual needs revolution, inner division, overthrow of the existing order, and renewal, but not by forcing them on his (or her) neighbours under the hypocritical cloak of Christian (or other religious) love or the sense of social responsibility or any of the other beautiful euphemisms for unconcious urges to personal (or collective) power. Individual self-reflection, return of the individual to the ground of human nature, to his (or her) own deepest being with its individual and social destiny - here is the beginning of a cure for that blindness which reigns at the present hour." [Jung. Two Essays on Analytical Psychology. p. 5.]