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Psychology and Religion (Jung's Collected Works #11)
by
C.G. Jung
In this book, Dr. Jung, who has been the author of some of the most provocative hypotheses in modern psychology, describes what he regards as an authentic religious function in the unconscious mind. Using a wealth of material from ancient and medieval gnostic, alchemistic, and occultistic literature, he discusses the religious symbolism of unconscious processes and the pos...more
Paperback, 138 pages
Published
September 10th 1960
by Yale University Press
(first published 1940)
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My final observations on the matter is that there are paths that lead you to the unconscious (dreams, trance, astral projection) and paths that lead you to the conscious (such as zen meditation, scientific inquiry). We are each balanced a certain way already. My world was overwhelmed with the unconscious symbols and imagery of archetypes and I was once so lost in that that I had to learn to become at peace with the mundane, to meditate, to gain focus and clarity rather than get more lost in the...more
Jun 17, 2011
Erik Graff
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Jung fans
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
psychology
Having been exposed to aggressive Christian fundamentalism in high school and to similar variants of Judaism and Islam through the media, "the religions of the book" perplexed me a great deal while growing up. Some mystical traditions made some sense, but the exclusivist revealed religions didn't. Jung, much of whose work dealt with religion, promised early on to offer some handle on the phenomenology of religions.
The framework of the Jungian take on religion is founded upon the idea of biophysi...more
The framework of the Jungian take on religion is founded upon the idea of biophysi...more
This collection of three lectures given by Carl Jung in 1937 presents an early version of his mature view on the role of the unconscious in formulating religious symbols. The three foci of this book are a case study of a neurotic man plagued by irrational fears of cancer, a natural history of the generation of religious symbols, and a consideration of the psychological consequences of the crisis of faith that was striking the heart of Europe.
Jung's case study is absolutely fascinating -- he pre...more
Jung's case study is absolutely fascinating -- he pre...more
Very thoughtful examination of how the religion and psychology can serve the same purposes. As a scientist Jung didn't reveal his religious beliefs. He did reveal that there are some forms of neuroses, which due to our brain's inherited programming, which can only be cured through a religious experience. Hence the value of ritual to certain religions and groups of people. According to Jung the Protestant has a greater chance of becoming one with 'God' and being a free man than the Catholic. Howe...more
I'm not sure if reading this has tapped into my subconscious, but I've been remembering my dreams twice in the last three days. That's the reason I'm even UP at this hour [5:30 a.m.].
Whatever the reasons, this short book or LONG essay will probably keep me guessing....
The Unconscious Mind
In the first few pages of Jung’s essay, he discusses numinosum OR ---an English adjective describing the power or presence of a divinity. The word was popularised in the early twentieth century by the German th...more
Whatever the reasons, this short book or LONG essay will probably keep me guessing....
The Unconscious Mind
In the first few pages of Jung’s essay, he discusses numinosum OR ---an English adjective describing the power or presence of a divinity. The word was popularised in the early twentieth century by the German th...more
Through a little research I became aware of and interested in Jung's idea of "The Shadow," so I started getting my hands on some of his stuff. "The Shadow" is a part of every human beings personality. It is the other side of us that we shove way deep down inside and hope no one else sees. This concept is related to the idea of "projection." We project onto other people the parts of us that we do not like, or would rather not look at. So when we say, "O my gosh doesn't she look fat in that," we...more
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i'm only half way through this, but i have to say i'm really really enjoying it. after finishing barthes' criticism and truth, and starting the essays in grammar of politics which takes apart wittgenstein (so far through the lens of habermas and his take on rational agreed language and critical reflection), this book is a welcome addition to a stream of books considering the value of secondary and symbolic values of language. for barthes it was a distinct part of modernity and truly understandin...more
Jung says, "The soul is for the most part outside the body." What an extraordinary idea! The modern person is taught to believe that the soul - or whatever language is used for soul - is contained in the brain or is equivalent to mind and is purely and humanly subjective. But if we were to think of the soul as being in the world, then maybe our work would be seen as a truly important aspect of our lives, not only for its literal product but also as a way of caring for the soul. - #CareoftheSoul...more
Extremely interesting book which provides a provocative and original view of religion. Jung's idea of god as an archetype is especially insightful, and I think that our current cultural dialogue on the value of religion would benefit from paying more attention to it. It is rather densely written in parts -- especially, per usual, the digressions into alchemical symbolism -- but still, in my view, entirely worth reading!
Have to say that Dr. Carl Jung was not my favorite theorist while in school, but I was rather curious about this book and had to give it a try. I was not disappointed and am quite impressed with the hypothesis proposed as it also confirms my beliefs regarding religion. I guess that makes me a biased reader :)
Nov 10, 2012
Scott Forbes
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Scott by:
me
This one is a reality check for the masses from one so versed in mythology and dreams as Jung. Please do yourself a favor and buy this in hardbound edition and share the contents with people you wish to befriend.
In this book Jung deals with the subject of religion (as the tittle says), he deals with it in very interesting manner, saying that religious experiences are real because they happen within the psyche. It's not an apology for religion, god or christianity (actually I think it's the opposite), it's more like an explanation of how the psyche tends toward wholeness and achiving that it's considered a religious experience. (sorry for my bad english).
Interesting read.
Loved it!
Not my favorite Carl Jung book I have read. It has some very interesting stuff in it though and is worth a read.
"But what is the difference between a real illusion and a healing religious experience? It is merely a difference in words....Nobody can know what the ultimate things are. We must, therefore, take them as we experience them. And if such experience helps make your life healthier, more beautiful, more complete and more satisfactory to yourself and to those who you love, you may safely say: 'This was the grace of God'"
This is the middle of three books by Freud, Jung, and Fromm on the subject of Religion from the perspective of Psychoanalysis. Each refers to the previous, and thus to understand this book you should read the first one, Freud's "The Future of an Illusion"; and also read the last one, Fromm's "Psychoanalysis and Religion". I actually read them backwards, but they should probably be read forwards.
I am currently reading this book and only recommend it to the patient as it is extremely dry. The information, however, is extremely interesting and very frightening. It has the potential to change the way you look at the world.
My first jung book. Short lecture on various case studies of people with neuroses and their connection with religious archetypes in dream studies and counseling sessions....or something...it's been a while.
Jung was the man. His take on the human condition is more nuanced than academic and his ability to explain these nuances are wonderfully enlightening for a reader willing to give him a chance.
Jun 12, 2008
Jack Maness
added it
This book changed my life in college. It gave me perspective on my childhood faith of Catholicism that remains with me to this day.
what is the difference between a creed and a religion? this book explains it. a great short read.
What a shockingly brilliant man. Why didn't anybody tell me.
this book got stolen from me when my bag was in my car...i cried.
It was interesting. But a hard read to get through.
Pretty unscientific. For a scientist.
May 21, 2013
Angelique
marked it as to-read
May 20, 2013
Kruti
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May 20, 2013
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Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist, influential thinker, and founder of analytical psychology.
Jung's unique approach to psychology was influential in countercultural movements in Europe and the United States in the 1960s. He has emphasized understanding the psyche through exploring the worlds of dreams, art, mythology, world religion and philosophy. Although he was a theoretical psychologis...more
More about C.G. Jung...
Jung's unique approach to psychology was influential in countercultural movements in Europe and the United States in the 1960s. He has emphasized understanding the psyche through exploring the worlds of dreams, art, mythology, world religion and philosophy. Although he was a theoretical psychologis...more
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