Atma, Self and Individuation – Jungian Psychology and the Advaita Vedanta Philosophy (part 2)

Jung grants that self is more than mere ego, but by this he refers to the collective or many selves. The purpose of individuation is not to leave the world behind as is the goal of the Eastern mystic, but rather to gather the world to one’s self. Here lies the parting of the waves between East and West. Remember the Janus image mentioned earlier? East looks inward while West gazes outward towards the world.

Certainly there are parallels between Jungian thinking and that of Vedanta. In fact, it is likely Jung took the term, Self, from Indian texts. However, according to Barbara Hannah, Jung felt “the East was too far above everyday reality for us (Westerners)” (Jung xxiii). In his Kundalini Yoga lectures, Jung speaks of the process of individuation:
It is the withdrawal from the emotions; you are no longer identical with them. If you succeed in remembering yourself, in making a difference between yourself and that outburst of passion, then you discover the self; you begin to individuate (Jung 39). Continue reading Atma, Self and Individuation – Jungian Psychology and the Advaita Vedanta Philosophy (part 2)

Atma, Self and Individuation – Jungian Psychology and the Advaita Vedanta Philosophy (part 1)

“Consciousness going out towards objects is mind.
That which turns towards the Self is pure Satva.”
—Sri Atmananda{1}

In 1938, C. G. Jung on his only trip to India was scheduled to travel south and meet the great householder sage, Sri Atmananda (Sri Krishna Menon). The trip was arranged by Dr. Roger Godel, a noted heart specialist and friend of Jung’s. Alice Godel, his widow, later related this story to me in India. The night before their departure, Jung had a dream which persuaded him to leave India early, thus canceling his trip to south India. If it seems strange to us that a well-educated, professional man such as Jung should take a dream so seriously, we must recall that Jung had grown up in a family of psychics and trained under Sigmund Freud, all of whom paid significant attention to dreams. Continue reading Atma, Self and Individuation – Jungian Psychology and the Advaita Vedanta Philosophy (part 1)

Shamanism, Buddhism, and Ayahuasca – hallucinogen and spirituality

For several years, I’ve been exploring the relationship between shamanism and Buddhism. The indigenous expression of Bon shamanism and Buddhist practices are historically interwoven in Tibet. The current form of Tibetan Buddhism is a near seamless... Read More...