The Psyche As Sacrament: A Comparative Study of C.G. Jung and Paul Tillich

Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #7

by John P. Dourley, Daryl Sharp (Editor)

In the Western world, psychology and religion are not easy companions. This book illustrates with great clarity that the antagonism is unnecessary. C.G. Jung the psychiatrist (1875-1961) and Paul Tillich the theologian (1886-1965) both understand God as immediately present, an inner reality and an inner resource. Tillich points to God as a power in life that transcends the ego, urging man on to wholeness―a power Jung calls the Self, the regulating centre of the personality. Tillich speaks of self-acceptance, Jung of relating to one’s complexes. Tillich writes of the journey towards essential humanity, Jung of the process of individuation. With a perspective that embraces both camps, the author examines the deeper meaning, for Christian and nonbeliever alike, of God, Christ, the Spirit, the Trinity, morality, and much else. “In the depths of the soul,” he concludes, “the psychological task and the religious task are one.”

Genres: Psychology, Religion, Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1981

Reviews

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is one of the most important books to western religion/psychology/sociology. It is so personally important to me as it restored me to a peaceful sense of my own religion in a way that reconciles logic, depth psychology and tradition and gave me religious orientation and vocabulary via revelation in symbol.

[Muhamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing work by father Dourley. The comparative study of Jung and Tillich is perhaps one of the most interesting topics I have came across and Fr Dourley has done an amazing job. He really assisted and improved my understanding of Tillich.
Great work.

[Jaco Steyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative regarding the parallels between theology and psychoanalysis.

[Ed Wojniak]

Great illumination of the ways in which Jung and Tillich converge in their thinking. I especially appreciate Tillich’s “ontological elements” and how they meld with Jung's thoughts. Tillich characterizes them as individualization and participation, dynamics (or power) and form (or meaning), and freedom and destiny.

Tillich posits that these pairs of opposites "characterize life, both human and divine.”

Both Tillich and Jung agree that “successful integration in these areas produces growth. Unsuccessful integration of these polarities produces death.”

If the necessity of the integration of this set of polarities is true and possible, Dourley points out another interesting polarity that might suggest a way forward. This is what he calls the polarity of “Catholic substance and Protestant principle. He asserts that the Catholic, sacramental, and priestly position must be present in tension with the Protestant, prophetic, and critical tradition.”

“Sacramentalism” (the Catholic position) he further identifies with terms like "the divine [appearing] in the form of symbols … the unconscious … a peculiar power [that] certain material realities [have] to mediate an experience of the Spirit to man.” I’d call this “the mystical,” the experiential, or power. The "Protestant (critical, i.e., analytical) principle" he further identifies with the mind (intellect) and ecclesial authority. I think of this as “the theological,” the rational or form / meaning approach.

Excellent analysis!