Modern Man in Search of a Soul Paperback – March 31, 2017

A quick review here of Carl Jung’s “Modern Man In Search of A Soul!” IAW Jung- “The modern man, moreover, is not eager to know in what way he can imitate Christ, but in what way he can live his own individual life, however meagre and uninteresting it may be.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 243). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Furthermore, Jung states- “But if, on the other hand, the clergyman is consulted, he cannot persuade the sick man that the trouble is psychic. As a rule he lacks the special knowledge which would enable him to discern the psychic factors of the disease, and his judgement is without the weight of authority.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (pp. 232-233). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Additionally, Jung assert’s- “Methods of treatment based upon suggestion are deceptive makeshifts; they are incompatible with the principles of analytical therapy, and should be avoided. But suggestion can of course be avoided only when the doctor is aware of the many doors through which it can enter. There remains in the best of circumstances enough—and more than enough—unconscious suggestion.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 10). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Finally, IAW Jung- “The spirit of the age cannot be compassed by the processes of human reason. It is an inclination, an emotional tendency that works upon weaker minds, through the unconscious, with an overwhelming force of suggestion that carries them along with it”. (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 179). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.)Given all the above, it is clear that Jung, more than asserts, that “suggestion” is in fact a very powerful force in “human” nature and that modern man is more so searching, for “meaning” outside more than just “religious” circles for meaning in one’s life. Ergo, in the age of “mass-media” and total “bombardment” of advertising, similar-or same news coverage on different networks, what does that all in fact say about Jung’s assertions of “suggestion?” I remember, being told, by those older than me that back in the 1950’s or 60’s in movie reels, they would replace a few frames, of the film with “suggestive” content and supposedly had to stop doing so due to various adverse consequences…. Whether true or not, do not know, but is in fact interesting and reminds one of the movie “Clock-Work Orange” where the character’s eyes are in fact pinned open and forced to watch whatever footage in front of them while on “psychotropic” medications…..???? Furthermore, when “counseling”- such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it has been taught that one should ask “questions” that lead the “individual” to their own “conclusions” ….. such as in US Dept. Veteran Affairs PRRTP Programs! Is this then a “violation” of Jung’s principles……??????On “special knowledge” and under-educated populace, this is readily available at any Federal Medical Center, where “patients/inmates” whom by and large are questioned by a panel “Psychological” Staff without an attorney present, believe that the “staff” can in fact “read” their minds and are by no way discouraged of this fact….. is this correct???? If so, then does this in fact not lead to the “mass-warehousing” in the US of many whom might simply otherwise be released…???? On the same note, there is very little literature in the FMC libraries, such as DSMIV/V or such as this work by Jung, and/or others for these “poor” souls to read, and if in fact have it sent to them or they order it thought the mail/local “library” program- creates quite the “stir” among FMC Psychology staff if in fact such literature, it is not out-right confiscated immediately! What would Carl Jung in fact say, about this state of affairs in the United States Today- not only at the Federal Level but also State Level Facilities, that are by in large, such as in Alabama, etc… contracted out to the lowest “bidder” or local jails “advertising” such services????Jung, further asserts- “In cases of insanity the compensatory process is often perfectly obvious, but takes a negative form. There are persons, for instance, who have anxiously shut themselves off from all the world only to discover one day that their most intimate secrets are known and talked about by everyone.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 169). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) So given the above, what would “Jung” say to the “mass-media” coverage of “judicial” proceedings were the “individual” in question, themselves is in fact not “interviewed, and “somehow’ their “health” records made “public” to reporters and the like without their EXPRESS written consent- especially if found more than “competent” by the court appointed “authorities”????????? Finally, in closing, Jung states- “If they breathe upon their hands, breath is wind and spirit—it is roho, in Arabic ruch, in Hebrew ruach, and in Greek pneuma. The action means: I offer my living spirit to God. It is a wordless, acted prayer, which could equally well be spoken: "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Does this merely happen so, or was this thought already incubated and purposed before man existed? I must leave this question unanswered.”(Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 154). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Which, is a good way I think to leave this review- questions- unanswered?????Bottom-line: Jung’s work should be “mandatory” reading in all “institution's” of higher learning, simply for the thought provocation it inspires and it’s “tie” in to the Modern Age of “mass and instantaneous” communication…..

Saw the title and decided to give it a read. Very thought provoking so far.

All time classic, strongly recommend

There are 11 chapters each one can be read as a standalone and so there is no need to read them in numerical order. Jung originally gave 10 of the chapters as lectures. The book does not say which one was not but from the page length of each chapter, my educated guess is that chapter #6 "Freud and Jung-Contrasts" was the one not originally given as a lecture. The reason being it is by far the shortest in page count being half or less the length of all the others which occupy about the same number of pages.Anyway, I will preface my comments about the content of the book. I have studied Analytical Psychology including having spent years in Jungian therapy so I was familiar with all of the content in the book. I have been away from the world of Analytical Psychology for a number of years and thought it was time to return to it and picked this book as a starting point. I had not previously read it. The book was culled from lectures in the early 1930s but none of the lectures get into Jung's controversial relationship with the Nazis.Now, on to the content itself. Some of the chapters are easier to understand than others which in my opinion are too wordy with technical terms. Fortunately this is limited to at the most two or three of the chapters. I am giving it a four stars because of these more technical, difficult to follow and understand chapters. The short chapter on Freud is in my opinion, not worth reading as it only superficially touches on the differences between the two which I as I recall has a number of entire books written on the subject.The rest of the book is Jung par excellence which I would say are about seven or eight of the chapters. One need not be familiar with Analytical Psychology to read and understand these chapters whether upon reading them they agree with Jung's perspective or not. My favorite chapter is the last one, "Psychotherapists or the Clergy."The material in the chapters is very general. He does not get into the collective unconscious. archetypes or personality types other than mentioning them here and there. Nothing at all about alchemy. He talks about primitive man quite a bit at a superficial level, but only enough to possibly wet one's appetite for more of it. A lot about primitive man is contained among the books in his "The Collective Works"All in all, i can recommend this book as a decent overview of Analytical Psychology and as a review of the same for those who may have previously studied it and have been away from it for a number of years.If this book wets one's appetite for more of Jung I would recommend his "Memories, Dreams and Reflections" by Jung, which is available in hard copy, paperback, kindle and pdf formats as the next step into the world of Analytical Psychology.Happy Dreams everyone, only the shadow knows.