Platonic Jung: And the Nature of Self

How does Jung model his psychology on Plato's philosophy? The Platonic Jung gives us a clear look at the remarkable similarities between the two, particularly in the structure of the cosmos and psyche, and in the nature of the self. The individual self is identified as soul in each system, and it is placed in what both Jung and Plato call the "third," a level of being located in-between the divine Self or One, and the ego complex or sense based self. Practicing the work of individuation in Jung or philosophy in Plato, which are also shown to be similar paths of development, a person is able to unite the opposites in the lower self. Thus, by healing the conflicts inherent in psychological injury, consciousness is developed in soul and its subtle body. The transcendent function is the cornerstone of individuation in Jung, and we learn here that he included an energetic aspect of transformation in the function, which is actually responsible for the movement of consciousness from ego-complex into soul in the third. Developing the self through philosophy or individuation involves a unity of the psyche that creates an inner state Dr. Weldon calls dual-unity, where the individual soul is simultaneously aware of the ego or sense based world below and the divine One or Self above. Plato referred to this state as the realization of the macrocosm within the microcosm and Jung mirrors this in his idea of wholeness. After doing the theoretical work of showing us the root of Jung in Plato, the book also includes a chapter on how to practice analytically orientated psychotherapy using the framework of the individual self as soul. In the first chapter Dr. Weldon shares her own experience of consciousness in soul and subtle body, all of which ultimately called her to this project. The Platonic Jung re-unites philosophy and psychology and expresses the message these two great men imparted to the world--that the soul is the true self, and is worth finding.

About the Author :
Jane Weldon has been a practicing psycho - therapist for 35 years and continues to be captivated by the mystery and inspiration of the work. Initially trained as a teacher, she taught movement dance for several years for both students and faculty at schools in southern New Hampshire, and for the Monadnock Arts Council. Graduating from Antioch University in New Hampshire in 1983 with a Masters in Counseling, she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a depth perspective from the Pacifica Institute in Santa Barbara, California in 2004. In her early twenties, Jane lived for three years in an isolated cabin on a small mountain in New Hampshire with no running water or electricity. This formative experience of "chop wood, carry water" on Pudding Hill taught her the virtues of voluntary simplicity, and how to live in a world often lost to depth, silence and inner meaning. In 1983 Jane moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to begin working as a psycho - therapist and still lives there with her husband, Morgan, and dog, Bodhi. Efforts towards simplicity and contemplation continue to be the center of her life.

Review :
"Dr. Weldon has given us a scholarly account of Jung's Platonic roots. She has a refined and thoughtful approach to esoteric thought and the subtle dimension of reality, grounded in her own experiences. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the deeper levels of Jung's cosmology and his notions of the Self and the soul." -Dr. Lionel Corbett "One of the central issues informing and motivating the work of depth psychology is the paradox between being different and separate while, at the same time, in unity and whole with something larger, even universal. One might call this the human condition or humankind's biggest mystery; it has been explored in religion, philosophy, psychology, cosmology and literature. In this audacious and ground-breaking work, Dr. Jane Weldon dives headlong into this subject which she calls 'dual-unity' through a detailed and mind-blowing comparison of the writings of Plato and Carl Jung on the topic. In so doing, Dr. Weldon brings fresh perspective to complex concepts such as the Self, the soul, the archetypes, individuation, the subtle immaterial body, psychoid matter, psychological transformation, the dynamics of 'opposites' and the emergence of the 'third' as platform for the opposites to interact and possibly unite or reconcile; her work touches on virtually every core idea in both Plato and Jung. In addition, the important theories developed are also grounded in the author's personal experiences and their application to clinical practice. This is a strong addition to the body of Jungian exploration and a must-read for those in its throes." -Jeffrey C. Miller, Ph.D.