Comments on: Let’s Keep Jung’s Red Book Away from Spiritual Hucksterism

By: Brian C

Brian C — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:27:29 +0000

Nancy- Thank you for commenting. “Value your inner life.” Yes, surely that’s the heart of it. I think that the focus, as we move forward in unfolding the meaning of the Red Book has to be exactly that. In Jung, we have a profound example of someone who undertook the inner journey. This puts a a deep, very personal question to each of us. What does that inner journey look like for each of us, individually? I cannot take CG Jung’s inner journey, and he cannot take mine, much as I may respect and even honour what he did. Like him, each of us has to find our courage, and go within to ourselves.

By: Brian C

Brian C — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:48:14 +0000

Gwen- Thank you kindly for your comment. I certainly think that the possibilities that the Red Book opens up for dialogue with Jung are immense. Personally, I feel that your focus is exactly right: to let the encounter with Jung open up your own inner reality. Surely that is exactly what Jung would have wanted. I think the encounter with Jung, whether through dreams, or through active imagination, as you suggest, Gwen, is a way of connecting with your own inner analyst, your own inner archetypal Wise Man, as Jung would tell us. The relationship with the Wise Woman and Wise Man within us can be powerfully transformative indeed.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:36:02 +0000

I had the experience of seeing the Red Book exhibit at the Library of Congress and attend the Jung Symposium that was held in conjunction with its opening in June. The symposium and exhibit, I felt, conveyed Jung’s own exploration of answering the questions as you put so well, “Who are you? What are you? What are the unknown elements of yourself?” It was also a good introduction to people who might not be familiar with Jung and Analytical Psychology.

I agree with you in regards to the Red Book that we, “be careful not to portray it as some kind of divine revelation composed by a semi-divinity which answers all questions.” I feel that Sanu Shamdasani said it so well in the NYTimes article on the Red Book when asked what Jung’s message might be with the Red Book. Simply put he replied, “Value your inner life.” I believe your post is a reminder of this – thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

By: Gwynne Mayer

Gwynne Mayer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:34:46 +0000

I use the Red Book daily and journal to Jung in doing my own inner work. I find, through the last 30 years, I have grown considerably keeping my journals ‘as if’ I am talking to and with Jung through his letters and now through the Red Book. Thanks so much for your Blog.