Great stuff here, Ryan. Using a Jungian lens with scripture reveals so much depth to these 'mythic' narratives, and shows where the sacred stories are meant to work on the human psyche. Thanks for this one!
Indeed. I had a lot of fun working with Jungian archetypes and themes along with Biblical precedents when I studied 3 'celtic' hagiographies for my dissertation. It seemed a very useful lens for the hagiographical narratives, much of which were derived from Biblical precedents.
Your top 3 resources/authors in your experience with Jung?
Additionally, much Jungian commentary often seems tailored to men. Shadows are cross-gender, but I’m curious as to how strong the impact is on women? I’d appreciate any insight!
Hi! Regarding resources, in addition to Jung's own writing on archetypes and religion, I found Edward Edinger's work very helpful, especially The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ. His commentary on the Aion lectures was also helpful. For a female perspective, Marie-Louise von Franz does some good work on fairy tales and dreams, and the shadow shows up in her work as well. And, for what it's worth, my PhD dissertation is available online through the university library website:
Yes! Thank you so much. The Robert Bly and Robert Johnson books I have referenced von Franz a fair bit. I look forward to getting into your dissertation.
Good questions, Ryan. Let me look at my bookshelf and my bibliography and get back to you. It's been a while since I submitted, and I don't want to rely on memory and steer you wrong.
Was just writing about my shadow in my journal then opened to your writing. So, so good and mirrors my own reflections on biblical stories bringing such deeper meaning than the "sunday school" or even theological schools versions.
Thank you for you sharing these important insights! I've only read Murray Stein's book, Jung's Map of the Soul: An Introduction, but am very interested in the idea of the shadow. Your connecting it to certain biblical characters is so helpful.
P.S. I've also been wanting to reread East of Eden (due to how long it's been since I first encountered it, writing a bit about it here on Substack, and more recently, Hudson Williams' mention of it!). I think your post is the final push I need to start it, like, today. 😂
Thank you for so wonderfully explaining shadow work! I’ve heard the term before, but never knew exactly what it was. Great stuff!
Thank you, LO! I'm hoping to continue finding ways to describe it through a personal lens and as accessibly as possible.
Great stuff here, Ryan. Using a Jungian lens with scripture reveals so much depth to these 'mythic' narratives, and shows where the sacred stories are meant to work on the human psyche. Thanks for this one!
Thanks for engaging, Dr. Beth. It would be interesting/fun to scan the text broadly for where the Jungian lens applies and could be helpful.
Indeed. I had a lot of fun working with Jungian archetypes and themes along with Biblical precedents when I studied 3 'celtic' hagiographies for my dissertation. It seemed a very useful lens for the hagiographical narratives, much of which were derived from Biblical precedents.
A couple questions…
Your top 3 resources/authors in your experience with Jung?
Additionally, much Jungian commentary often seems tailored to men. Shadows are cross-gender, but I’m curious as to how strong the impact is on women? I’d appreciate any insight!
Hi! Regarding resources, in addition to Jung's own writing on archetypes and religion, I found Edward Edinger's work very helpful, especially The Christian Archetype: A Jungian Commentary on the Life of Christ. His commentary on the Aion lectures was also helpful. For a female perspective, Marie-Louise von Franz does some good work on fairy tales and dreams, and the shadow shows up in her work as well. And, for what it's worth, my PhD dissertation is available online through the university library website:
https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/596/1/Krajewski%2C%20E.%20Archetypal%20narratives.pdf
Cheers!
Yes! Thank you so much. The Robert Bly and Robert Johnson books I have referenced von Franz a fair bit. I look forward to getting into your dissertation.
Sounds great! (And, no obligation at all on the dissertation!)
Good questions, Ryan. Let me look at my bookshelf and my bibliography and get back to you. It's been a while since I submitted, and I don't want to rely on memory and steer you wrong.
This was a wonderful overview and deep dive into this idea. Thanks! And also, "velociraptors on the ark" made me snort/laugh.
A Tonya snort laugh was the entire goal! Success!
Was just writing about my shadow in my journal then opened to your writing. So, so good and mirrors my own reflections on biblical stories bringing such deeper meaning than the "sunday school" or even theological schools versions.
So cool, Katherine! Jung would call that coincidence... synchronicity.
Thank you for you sharing these important insights! I've only read Murray Stein's book, Jung's Map of the Soul: An Introduction, but am very interested in the idea of the shadow. Your connecting it to certain biblical characters is so helpful.
P.S. I've also been wanting to reread East of Eden (due to how long it's been since I first encountered it, writing a bit about it here on Substack, and more recently, Hudson Williams' mention of it!). I think your post is the final push I need to start it, like, today. 😂
So sweet to hear, Jeannette! And thank you for sharing those resources.