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

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.

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY Judson Davis, PhD, is an educator, author, spiritual counselor, filmmaker, and world traveler. He holds a Doctorate in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology (with emphasis in Depth Psychology) from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has taught on the college and corporate levels in California, Germany, and Japan, has produced documentary films, and has presented his work in a variety of public venues. His conference presentations include papers delivered at the 17th International Transpersonal Conference in Moscow, Russia and the Symposium for the Study of Myth at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. His published work includes the essay "C. G. Jung, Tibetan Tantra, and the Great Goddess: An Exploration of Sacred Entities and Archetypes", which appears in book Daimonic Imagination, Uncanny Intelligence (2013, W. Rowlandson and A. Voss, Eds., Cambridge Scholars Publishing). He is also the author of "Jung at the Foot of Mt. Kailash: A Transpersonal Synthesis of Depth Psychology, Tibetan Tantra, and the Sacred Mythic Imagery of East and West", which appears in the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies (2011, Volume 30, Issues 1-2) in the special topic section on ecopsychology. He reviews and edits article submissions for the above journal, and is presently involved in a number of doctoral level research projects at the California Institute of Integral Studies and Sophia University. He also serves on the board of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. Additional information about his work can be accessed through his website at www.eternalhighlander.com