C.G. Jung, his myth in our time

Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #77

by Marie-Louise von Franz

This is a facsimile edition of the book originally published in 1975 by G.P. Putnam's Sons, which has long been out of print. Title no. 77 in the series Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts. The most authoritative and comprehensive account of Jung's seminal ideas.

Genres: Psychology, Biography, Nonfiction

355 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Marie-Louise von Franz was a Swiss Jungian psychologist and scholar.
Von Franz worked with Carl Jung, whom she met in 1933 and knew until his death in 1961. Jung believed in the unity of the psychological and material worlds, i.e., they are one and the same, just different manifestations. He also believed that this concept of the unus mundus could be investigated through research on the archetypes of the natural numbers. Due to his age, he turned the problem over to von Franz. Two of her books, Number and Time and Psyche and Matter deal with this research.
Von Franz, in 1968, was the first to publish that the mathematical structure of DNA is analogous to that of the I Ching. She cites the reference to the publication in an expanded essay Symbols of the Unus Mundus, published in her book Psyche and Matter. In addition to her many books, Von Franz recorded a series of films in 1987 titled The Way of the Dream with her student Fraser Boa.
Von Franz founded the C. G. Jung Institute in Zurich. In The Way of the Dream she claims to have interpreted over 65,000 dreams. Von Franz also wrote over 20 volumes on Analytical psychology, most notably on fairy tales as they relate to Archetypal or Depth Psychology, most specifically by amplification of the themes and characters. She also wrote on subjects such as alchemy, discussed from the Jungian, psychological perspective, and active imagination, which could be described as conscious dreaming. In Man and His Symbols, von Franz described active imagination as follows: "Active imagination is a certain way of meditating imaginatively, by which one may deliberately enter into contact with the unconscious and make a conscious connection with psychic phenomena."

Reviews

[Erik Akre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend reading this book as an excellent way to connect or reconnect with Jung and his ideas. Von Franz is the most skillful and eloquent translator of Jung's ideas, and she explains them with an ease that Jung himself never seems to have had.

Most fascinating here are the explorations of Active Imagination and the interpretations of dreams. Particularly on the topic of A.I., von Franz elucidates the method of psychic-exploration in a way that will inspire and encourage. She explains Jung's thinking that this is indeed a very real process, and the journeys undertaken are as real as any others in the fully conscious world, and the places we visit exist independently, at least as any other places we can go. As a meditation, A.I. does happen "to you," except that "you" are somehow a part of it symbolically at the same time. Regarding the interpretation of dreams, the author cites Jung as saying that these experiences are not easily interpreted one way, and that we may do better not solidifying them into any particular interpretation at all. This point is a good reminder, explained well.

The lengthy exposition of relationships between the "No. 1" and "No. 2" personalities--the lives of the consciousness and the vast unconscious being--illuminate the teaching that "No. 1" should always be first, with "No. 2" enriching and deepening the experience of the conscious person. This is an important point that may be--and must not be--overlooked in the Search.

All explanations of this book seem to fall short. It seems almost a must-read for someone exploring and practicing Jungian processes. It is inspiring, illuminating, and so distilled and easy to read compared to the texts of Jung himself.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the clearest, most complete and concise summary of Jung's ideas put to paper. For anyone who is even semi-seriously interested in the philosophy/psychology of Jung, its history and place, this book is the single best book to read.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, like so many expositions of analytical psychology, is a hagiography of C.G. Jung by one of his disciples. Personally, I approached him with a similar attitude in college, so much of his writing being about topics quite new to me. My views changed, however, by the time I finished my thesis in seminary. By then I'd read all of Jung and scores of books about his thought, one being very much like another. I also, incidentally, corresponded with von Franz herself in the process of researching a thesis in seminary.

[Liam Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion drawn in the final is rather far-fetched and greatly diminishes the worth of this otherwise good account of Jung and his beliefs.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too grandiloquent for me

[Pietro Gambarotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Là où, dans plusieurs introductions de Jung, on essaie de faire ressortir les concepts saillants (archétype, inconscient collectif, principe d'individuation, synchronicité, etc) en simplifiant tout ce qu'il y a autour, ici on rentre pleinement dans la forêt de recherches qui ont constellé sa pensée (alchimie, analyse comparée des mythes et des religions, numérologie, en plus, bien sûr, de l'analyse des rêves). Rien de ce que je lis ne m'apparaît démontré avec rigueur (au contraire) mais sûrement créatif et fascinant. En somme, une introduction plus complète mais qui peut résulter moins abordable.

[Ciyang Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's beautifully written work. I got the feeling that it may be from a true admirer of Jung, given the fact that little critique was observed. There are a number of materials that are complex, which, to be able to grasp, might require a better background knowledge of Jung's work. I'll definitely going to re-read sometime later.

[Kenneth Kovacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic introduction to the thought of C. G. Jung. It's been said that Marie-Louise von Franz is among the best interpreters of Jung. This text is an invaluable companion to any exploration of the Jungian corpus and a window into what it's like to engage in Jungian analysis.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly a great read by one of Jung's best and brightest students, not a disciple, that is projecting an aura of religious indoctrination. Jung's work is not religious as this implies an organized religion. Marie-Louise Von Franz has a gift for deciphering Jung's incredibly complex work in terms a layman can grasp. One of my favorite authors. Jung's work is about individuation, not religion, but his insights into the human psyche, or soul, are unmatched in recorded history. He was all about fostering the greatest potential in people, yet enabling, even insisting they make their own decisions about life choices.