The Sacred Image: C. G. Jung and the Western Embrace of Tibetan Buddhism

Book excerpt: The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung made a number of revolutionary contributions to modern Western psychology, and his pioneering work was greatly enhanced through his contact with Eastern religions, especially Tibetan Buddhism. In these esoteric traditions Jung discovered a holistic approach and a deep affinity for nature, and in the yogic and tantric disciplines he encountered a complex symbolic world that resonated with him deeply. Jung was particularly drawn to the highly articulated and intricate symbolism of Tibetan Tantra, which provided considerable support for his seminal theories on the universal archetypes and the collective unconscious. His cross-cultural and interdisciplinary engagement with Indo-Tibetan spirituality later proved instrumental in establishing the basis of the modern East-West dialogue in which the religions of the East — and in particular Buddhism — have become a central focus. Jung is also widely acknowledged as the father of transpersonal psychology, which, in seeking to integrate the wisdom traditions of East and West, stands at the forefront of contemporary studies in human consciousness and mysticism.