Gnosticism was for C.G. jung the chief prefiguration of his analytical psychology. In this volume Robert Segal, an authority on theories of myth and Gnosticism, has searched the Jungian corpus for Jung's main discussions of this ancient form of spirituality. The progression in Gnosticism from sheer bodily existence to the release of the immaterial spark imprisoned in the body - and the reunion of that spark with the godhead - represents for Jung the psychological progression from ego consciousness to the ego's rediscovery of the unconscious, and the ego's integration with the unconscious to forge the self. Included in this volume are both Jung's sole work devoted entirely to Gnosticism, "Gnostic Symbols of the Self," and his own Gnostic myth, "Seven Sermons to the Dead." The book also contains key essays by Father Victor White and Gilles Quispel, whose "C.G. Jung und die Gnosis" is here translated for the first time. In his extensive introduction Segal discusses the parallel for Jung between ancient Gnostic and contemporary Jungian patients, the Jungian meaning of Gnostic myths and of the Seven Sermons, Jung's possible misinterpretation of Gnosticism, and the common characterization of Jung himself as a Gnostic.

Jungian psychology based on a little known treatise he authored in his earlier years.

Kabbalistic Metaphors: Jewish Mystical Themes in Ancient and Modern Thought places the major symbols of the theosophical Kabbalah into a dialogue with several systems of ancient and modern thought, including Indian Philosophy, Platonism, Gnosticism, and the works of Hegel, Freud, and Jung. The author shows how the Kabbalah organizes a series of ancient ideas regarding God, cosmos, and humanity into a basic metaphor that itself reappears in various guises in much of modern philosophy and psychology. Recognition of the parallels between the Kabbalah and modern philosophy and psychology provides us with valuable insight into both the Kabbalah and modern thought, and helps pave the way for a new Kabbalah, one that is spiritually and intellectually relevant to contemporary man.

Highlights of this book include studies of the way in which Christianity is changing, the feminine dimension of God, and Jung's contribution to biblical humanities. Volume includes: Murray Stein - Jung's Green Christ: A Healing Symbol for Christianity Carrin Dunne - Between Two Thieves: A Response to Jung's Critique of the Christian Notions of Good and Evil David L. Miller - "Attack Upon Christendom " The Anti-Christianism of Depth Psychology Nathan Schwartz-Salant - Patriarchy in Transformation: Judaic, Christian, and Clinical Perspectives June Singer - Jung's Gnosticism and Contemporary Gnosis Joan Chamberlain Engelsman - Beyond the Anima: The Female Self in the Image of God Wayne G. Rollins - Jung's Challenge to Biblical Hermeneutics William Dols - The Church as Crucible for Transformation Robert L. Moore - Ritual Process, Initiation, and Contemporary Religion Julia Jewett - Womansoul: A Feminine Corrective to Christian Imagery David Dalrymple - "Images of Immortality" Jung and the Archetype of Death and Rebirth VOLUME EDITORS: Murray Stein, Ph.D. is a supervising training analyst and former president of The International School of Analytical Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland (ISAP Zurich). His most recent books include Outside Inside and All Around, Minding the Self and The Principle of Individuation. From 2001 to 2004 he was president of the International Association for Analytical Psychology. He lectures internationally on topics related to Analytical Psychology and its applications in the contemporary world. He is publisher emeritus of Chiron Publications and is the focus of many Asheville Jung Center online seminars. Robert Moore, Phd was an internationally recognized psychotherapist and consultant in private practice in Chicago. He was considered one of the leading therapists specializing in psychotherapy with men because of his discovery of the Archetypal Dynamics of the Masculine Self (King, Warrior, Magician, Lover). He served as Distinguished Service Professor of Psychology, Psychoanalysis and Spirituality at the Graduate Center of the Chicago Theological Seminary, and has served as a Training Analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago. He is Co-founder of the Chicago Center for Integrative Psychotherapy.

A collection of essays analyzing the leading theories of myth. It surveys the contours of this ongoing discussion, comparing and evaluating the theories of Edward Tylor, William Robertson Smith, James Frazer, Jane Harrison, Sigmund Freud, C.G. Jung, and others.

The Meaning of the Nag Hammadi, now in paperback opens the with the thrilling adventure story of the discovery of the ancient Papyrii at Nag Hammadi. Muhammad Ali, the fellahin, discovered the sealed jar, he feared that it might contain a jinni, or spirit, but also had heard of hidden treasures in such jars. Greed overcame his fears and when he smashed open the jar, gold seemed to float into the air. To his disappointment, it was papyrus fragmenst, not gold, but for scholars around the world, it was invaluable. Meyer then discusses the pre–Christian forms of wisdom that went onto influence what Christians believe today. In addition, some Nag Hammadi texts are attributed to Valentinus, a man who almost became Pope, and whose rejection changed the church in significant ways. Text by text, Meyer traces the history and impact of this great find on the Church, right up to our current beliefs and popular cultural fascination with this officially suppressed secret knowledge about Jesus and his followers.

Examines popular new spiritual doctrines such as Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" to determine what they set out to teach and whether they are healthy and wise alternatives to spiritual enlightenment.

The lengthy introduction, which has been described as a book in itself, includes a vigorous critique of the new age counterculture. A confrontation occurs with Eliade, Jung, Leary, Grof, Aldous Huxley, Ken Wilbur, Colin Wilson and others. The author objects to popular theories of the perennial philosophy and provides an alternative set of references from specialist scholarship. scholarly theories. The legendary prophet Zarathushtra gains life in this overview. The focus moves to the Sassanian era of Gnostic associations, encompassing not only Manichaeism, but also the more obscure Mazdakism. civilization to the Upanishadic era. Part four covers the six classical systems of Hindu philosophy, and includes the medieval Vedantic exponents Shankara and Ramauja. Part five investigates the Shramana philosophers who included Gautama Buddha, and an attempt is made to chart occurrences in Jainism, a subject more rarely dealt with.