Jung the Mystic: The Esoteric Dimensions of Carl Jung's Life and Teachings

Gary Lachman's biography of Carl Jung is as intelligent as its subject. Anyone trying to wade through the writings of Jung himself will have a hard time understanding the man in any way that might be useful. I've learned of Jung through Joseph Campbell in his works on the power of mythology in our lives, and now with Lachman's new biography, I can finally understand the genius of Jung himself.Lachman writes as someone who truly understands his subject in a deep and meaningful way. Even though Lachman's writings read like a scholarly paper, it was still an enjoyable and easily understood book. Filled with quotations and researched to within an inch of its life, Jung the Mystic is a great introduction to the life of a man who opened so many doors into the unconscious of humankind.Without Jung we wouldn't have the common terms such as synchronicities and collective unconscious. Joseph Campbell might not have been able to give us the hero's mythic journey, and maybe we wouldn't know that our mass despondencies come from living a modern life that lacks any real meaning, something only the inner world of our subconscious can give us.Exerts from the book:"Pierre Janet's central concept was what he called the "reality function." Like Bleuler, he believed that mental illness was a result of a "loosening" of consciousness, a slackness in our grasp of reality, as if the mind was a hand too feeble to hold anything properly. We even tell someone who seems on the verge of hysteria to "get a grip." Mental health, Janet believed, was determined by our ability to focus, to concentrate our attention (as we often say "pull yourself together" to someone who is danger of losing it"). Janet called this act of concentration "psychological tension," and he believed it was something people could develop intentionally. . . patients lost contact with reality because their consciousness had become dangerously slack, and Blueler recognized this by giving them various "tasks" to perform.Janet had also developed the idea that when someone's psychological tension becomes extremely slack--what he called the lowering of the mental level," through either sleep, hypnosis, or illness--the personality separates into autonomous fragments that seem to have a `mind' of their own, which is very close to what Jung was discovering about complexes." Page 62My take on what Jung is trying to say:Television causes us to separate from reality in two ways, first it lowers our self-esteem by showing us only the best and the beautiful, while commercials reinforce our need for products because of our physical deficiencies. Next, television puts us into a trance state which weakens our psychological tension, letting their consciousness go slack which can cause a break reality. Just turning on the news now shows us how many people are suffering from complexes and breaks with reality. This cause depression where the patient is then given anti-psychotic medication furthering their break from reality.I get the feeling that I'm going to be a whole lot smarter with ever book I read by Gary LachmanMany of Jung's patients were uneducated peasants who knew little of history yet there dreams said otherwise. The mind inherits from past generations.

It is not uncommon to hear Jung's name in the same breath as many historical, mystical figures when listening to a conversation about philosophy, the occult, or any number of supernatural subjects. Jung was the pioneer of ideas like the collective unconscious and the archetypes--ideas that occult figures in modern times have used for their philosophical purposes. Unlike William James--who seems to get a pass for his interest in the otherworldly--Jung was consistent criticized when his work delved a little too much into the metaphysical, and even today, many critics see him as a guru more than a scientist.Lachman acknowledges this split between Jung the scientist and Jung the mystic, while giving a detailed account of the psychiatrist's life and trials. HIs examination of Jung's childhood and early relationship with his mother and father set the groundwork not only for his professional attitude later in life, but also his interest in the spiritual. Lachman's examination of Jung's #1 and #2 self is a fascinating look at the shaping of personas and the inner conflict that psychodynamic psychotherapy attempts to solve.Lachman follows Jung's life throughout his childhood and education, into his relationship with Sigmund Freud, and out into his establishment as an icon of psychology. Lachman even goes through the final years and days of Jung's life, and examines the Red Book in an added chapter to uncover more of the psychological aspects of Jung's development. The problem that Lachman runs into is that as much as he tries to maintain a linear feel to Jung's life, dates get jumbled, the text occasionally backtracks, and it is easy to lose one's place in the timeline of Jung's life. In addition, although Emma Jung and Toni Wolfe are both mentioned, one would be surprised at the lack of content in regards to their relationship with Jung. Understandably, Lachman is trying to focus on the mystical aspects of Jung's life, which might prevent him from speaking too much of Jung's wife, but Wolfe was a major component of Jung's spiritual searches, and her inclusion feels light.This is a limited biography of Jung, which should be evident to anyone that reads the title. It is not "Jung the Person," but instead "Jung the Mystic," so Lachman does attempt to restrain himself from going too far into other, non-mystical aspects of Jung's life that are not relevant. It could be because of this that Lachman's book falls short of his previous works, such as his Steiner biography. Still, "Jung the Mystic" is a quality read that offers a ton of information on how Jung's spiritual concepts developed over his lifetime.

Fairly standard bio of Jung. Weak focus on Jung’s mysticism (or otherwise) but still a decent read.If you are considering reading it to see a cogent argument for Jung being a mystic, it is not here, this is largely conjecture.

Lachman breaks down a very complex man. This is excellent. Jung was an "occultist". Lachman is good at not being unrealistic...yet he digs out fascinating fact and incites. If you want to understand a complex topic fast Mr. Lachman is good at that. He was OTO If you have read his stuff you know this. Also you will find Jung was one of the strangest coolest thinkers ever. I prefer him much more then SF indeed. Wierd methods can cure.

If you are interested in Carl Jung's esoteric works, as I am, you will have had to dig around in his books. A little mention of this here, that there. Jung himself was unsure he wanted this information disseminated, much less compiled -- he lived in a much more staid and judgmental time than we do (partly thanks to him!). Many of the ideas we take for granted, a collective unconscious, e.g., originated with him and in his mystical or shamanic experiences. Hypnagogia, active imagination, visionary experience. The author has done a very good job of bringing much of Jung's experience together for the reader, who may also use this book as a guide to further reading. Very nice to have -- I have already read a borrowed copy and am now buying one to keep.

This was a great biography - examining Jung's more mystical dimension - as an avid amateur Jungian I very much enjoyed seeing this side of Jung's life.

am loving it

Lachman - the original keyboard player with Blondie - has written an entertaining and rather comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of Carl Jung. Once again telling the story of his life from early childhood.Encompassing all the usual steps: the childhood dreams and rituals, student life, early career as psychiatrist, Sabine Spielrein, Freud, midlife crisis and psychic breakdown. His perhaps ambivalent attitude towards nazism, the alchemical studies. And ofc focusing on the dichotomi of Jung, he's rather severely guarded scientific image and the more hidden interest in the occult. Without, it has to be said, adding anything new or original.Lachman seems to have a reserved but generally positive view of his subject. Though his main criticism of Jung's book as rather unreadable seems somewhat misguided and lacking the historical dimension: well educated readers at Jung's time DID have a comprehensive understanding of Greek and Latin, lacking ofc for most readers today.Although the book title seems to hint at more than just another biography, Lachman does not go into a very detailed analysis of the esoteric dimensions of Jung's work. He does make some interesting - if rather obvious - connections to the work of Rudolf Steiner and Gurdieff. While on the other hand his own knowledge of people like Schopenhauer and Goethe seems rather superficial. And largely ignoring Jung's roots in the tradition of Freemasonry and Rosencreuzians, as well as his influences from - and misunderstandings of - Eastern spirituality.A very recommendable book for anyone new to Jung. In fact for them it can be said to be the perfect starting point. For the more advanced/experienced 'Jungian' there's not that much to come for.

The book is readable; I admit though that I am biased, as I would enjoy reading almost anything which added any insight into Jung's charachter ....my main problem with this particular book is, that it adds nothing " mystic " to the basic knowledge of Jung's interests in esoteric stuff that even the household pets have by now. This is just an ordinary biography of the Sage of Kusnacht, written in the languare that even a primary school child could understand, which can be good or weird at times, as the author seems to be addressing a readership of kids. Apart from that, the first chapter of the book is nothing but a summary of " Memories, Dreams, Reflections ", again adapted to the level of a 5 year old, which ironically contrasts with the redundant, contrived communication style which characterizes old Carl's writings. Then the author goes on to give all sorts of info about Jung's mistresses, wife Emma, his children, in a mix of gossip and commentary on his work which is a bit puzzling, but again, easily enjoyable if that's what you were looking for. It even dedicates a longish passage to Jung's alleged activities as an anti-nazi spy during WWII, clearly in an attempt to demonstrate that he was not an anti-semite, but again, that British spy story is a bit irrelevant to the plot and Jung's part in it is not really demonstrable anyway. The good thing about it, is that the author does try to be objective, striking a balance between admiring this great thinker while not genuflecting to him or trying to make him into a misunderstood saint; there is room for criticism. However, if what you are looking for is an in-depth study of " Jung the Mystic and the Esoteric Jung ", you will be disappointed and even a bit bored, and you had better look elsewhere.