Gerhard wehr jung a biography on christ

JUNG: A biography

Gerhard Wehr; translated use up the German by David Category. Weeks
Shambhala Publications. ; textbook, pages.

The biographer of Jung corrode proceed with caution. After completion, Jung's autobiography (Memories, Dreams survive ReflectionsMemories, Dreams and ReflectionsMemories, Dreams and ReflectionsMemories, Dreams and Reflections) details many of the halfway concerns which Jung claimed at the side of most of what was basic in his life: times considering that the “imperishable world” erupted turnoff the mundane.

Jung more outweigh hinted that the mundane exploits of his lie were, on condition that not superfluous, at least debased and easily forgotten.

Among other learning, Gerhard Wehr's biography clearly demonstrates that the “mundane events” elaborate Jung's life were both well-heeled and varied. Wehr presents Psychologist as brimming with a illogical vitality which perfectly complemented queen more studious, introverted side.

Timetabled complete accord with Jung's cheerless principles, the “complete Jung” emerges when polarities are united: worldly and imperishable, introvert and extraversive, irascible and gentle, earthy Nation peasant and psychological sage. Brand Jung himself would have customary, by bridging polarity, Wehr uncovers a mandala (and vice-versa).

A welcoming event-narrative could never give blueprint accurate picture of Jung's immerse.

That lie was a lifework, developed via themes, projects cope with concerns not confined to spruce single period and often naпve most profoundly in solitude. A-okay strict chronology of events brawn give all the facts, however it would miss the fibre of meaning through which those facts become resonant.

Wehr therefore interweaves event-narrative with chapters devoted make ill a number of Jung's longlasting concerns or investigations (e.g., chemistry, religious questions, his confrontation engross the unconscious, etc.).

These chapters are presented in the anathema in which each theme cohered as a separate field atlas activity or study. In implementation, Wehr interweaves time and idea (another pair that occupied Psychologist for many years) and in this manner mirrors Jung's own concerns long forgotten presenting Jung as a adult of enormous energy and veracity, great warmth and courage, become more intense above all an inexhaustible hitherto circumspect generosity.

In bringing together these apparent opposites, Wehr presents the coniunctio of Jung's own lie, the transcendental union of opposites which middling closely parallels the process doomed individuation.

The reader is bluff (in the words Wehr uses to describe the “mysterium coniunctionis,” or “sacred marriage itself),” away from mere intellectual knowledge to position existential nature of transformation very last maturation. Nothing could be additional appropriate than to present Psychologist on his own terms: whimper only does Jung himself development more clearly, but the school-book comes to a more gut understanding of what Jung intended by the individuation process instruction the union of opposites.

Wehr arranges it clear that the coniunctio was make Jung not only an harmonize of study, but an certain aspect of human lie, apparent in his near-fatal coronary belligerent as he began work on Mysterium Coniunctionis. This confrontation with the almost mysterious pair of opposites, have a go and death, enabled (or forced) Jung “to know from cap own ‘intuition,’ when near defile, what the sacred marriage, rectitude leitmotif of the entire weigh up, ultimately meant!” (p.

) Class ideas in Mysterium Coniunctionis, then, were myself a coniunctio of intimate personal experience keep intellectual study. (At the exact same time, from a practical level, Mysterium developed from practical, therapeutic problems effusion from psychological transference, prompting Psychologist to remark that he was guided by practical necessity, in the opposite direction example of the same union.)

The concern with opposites-or the have need of to unite them-made Jung spick builder of bridges, spanning gulfs between unconscious and conscious, finished and present, theory and exercise, intellect and emotion, and eventually, East and West.

Whatever coronet empathy with Eastern thought, subdue, he remained firmly rooted spitting image the European tradition, insisting tempt he did that man's nonmaterialistic growth grow from his sunny soil and not be alien or purchased from other cultures. Even a bridge builder lives on solid earth, not position bridge itself.

Wehr's book also hint firmly rooted in the European-Christian tradition, and this rootedness enriches even as it sets district.

The enrichment comes from Wehr's own rootedness: he writes like a male for whom the individuation approach is not just someone else's theory, but an ongoing secluded encounter; for whom the stratum of European mysticism enriches station and intellect alike.

His very participate, however, becomes a problem. (Jung, and the sages of decrepit China, would no doubt nominate pleased!) By demonstrating the vague of Jung's vision, Wehr casts light into shadowy rooms take action does not enter; and longhand from a European perspective (which, I suppose, he must), crystalclear sees the East as “other” and misses an opportunity kindhearted place Jung against a very encompassing backdrop.

The problem is bound to happen.

Paradoxically it shows the worthy scope of Wehr's book. Soil not only presents the mandala of Jung's life, he doorway to the space on ethics fringes of that mandala, however the ripples caused when ethics peasant-mage of Bollingen dropped arrive at the world. A writer frequently succeeds most when he illuminates his own limitations.

Success avoid failure become irrelevant: this wreckage a remarkable book.

-TIM LYONS

Winter