Jung, Buddhism, and the Incarnation of Sophia:

Unpublished Writings from the Philosopher of the Soul

By

Henry Corbin

 

Reviewed by Henry Reed

 

What do Jung and Buddhism have in  common with the Incarnation of Sophia, and why should we care, and who's Henry Corbin and why didn't they publish his ideas until now, might  you ask? Good questions, all, and I've found on my walks of the past month or so a wonderment building about what I might share with you about this little book that could make a difference.

Marilyn Ferguson, author of The Aquarian Conspiracy, suggested that the central, underlying theme of the current revolution, of the new story, the new paradigm was/is "the end of separation." Today, this theme comes up in so many, unsuspecting areas of life beyond the obvious globalization, and the increasing transparency of our interdependence, of our total dependence on ecological sustainability. And then there's the global consciousness, a not always subliminal awareness of our underlying interconnectedness, if not oneness. Of course, these seeds of change are challenging us to invent new ways of being, and as we do so, what is the effect? It can be akin to giving birth to a new denizen of the planet, such as the increasing involvement of feminine principles in our consciousness of reality.

The incarnation of Sophia refers to an event, a process involving a "spiritual being" of some kind. Such a beingis doing something that has consequences for us... might be a way of putting it. Unlike moving into "the Age of Aquarius," which brings an impersonal aspect of a turning wheel of  time has come to bearing water, and the effects of such water will follow. What could be the change, the effect, the consequence alluded to? What changes in consciousness are required in order to detect this particular presence, or essence, this being of "the goddess"? For one, how about taking the imagination to be real? A good place to start.

"The imagination is getting a new image." Such a pronouncement has been one of my themes. Another would be, "the boundaries are dissolving!" Not to mention that I've been noticing that "All my relations" seems to be a better cartographer of my soul than would be my resume. What these different topics have in common is  that they are all reflections, or implications, or a relative of the prospect of "the return of the goddess," or, as expressed in the title of this meaningful little book, "the incarnation of Sophia." For some time we've suspected, known, or even sung aloud that the times are changing, and in so many ways, being driven by so many different forces. Is there any underlying rhyme or reason to it? Age of Aquarius? Water? Yang? Affecting everything, an effect in global consciousness.

While the psychiatrist Carl Jung was focused on chasing God via the redeeming value and prophetic acumen of his patients' dreams, Henry Corbin, because of his involvement in Islam and especially Sufism, explored the significance of a realm of being mid-way between the physical and the mental, bringing the status of a living world to Jung's growing idea of an evolving collective unconscious. Were he granted a seat at the table, Edgar Cayce might point out that his readings on the "imaginative forces" in creation are relevant here, especially since he links that concept to his experiences as a child playing with nature spirits.

When The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, declares that "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye,” he is expressing this idea, with "heart" being related to the imagination. It is here that the "soul" enters into our experience, that other dimension of being that provides meaning, purpose, and the experience of the oneness of life. This dimension of being is the feminine mystery, and Sophia is her name.

It is important to recognize these small, elemental aspects of "the feminine," as the domain is quite profound in its implications, reaching into most everything, especially how we imagine things to be, how we imagine the nature of reality, how we  imagine the story of life, and other variations on the theme. Reading some of Corbin's thoughts on the subject way back when can stimulate our imagination today beyond the literal vision of the coming Feminine principle affecting our experience of life, especially as it becomes more "interesting" in the days ahead.

 

From the publisher, Inner Traditions:

Examines the work of Carl Jung in relation to Eastern religion, the wisdom teachings of the Sophia, Sufi mysticism, and visionary spirituality

• Reveals the spiritual values underlying the psychoanalytic theories of Carl Jung

• Explores the role of the Gnostic Sophia with respect to Jung’s most controversial essay, “Answer to Job”

• Presents new revelations about Sufi mysticism and its relationship to esoteric Buddhist practices

• Shows how the underlying spiritual traditions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity mesh with the spiritual teachings of Buddhism

Henry Corbin (1903-1978) was one of the most important French philosophers and orientalists of the 20th century. In this collection of previously unpublished writings, Corbin examines the work of Carl Jung in relationship to the deep spiritual traditions of Eastern religion, the esoteric wisdom teachings of Sophia, the transformational symbolism of alchemy, and Sufi mysticism.

Looking at the many methods of inner exploration in the East, including the path of the Sufi and Taoist alchemy, Corbin reveals how the modern Western world does not have its own equivalent except in psychotherapy. Expanding Jung’s findings in light of his own studies of Gnostic and esoteric Islamic traditions, he offers a unique insight into the spiritual values underlying Jung’s psychoanalytic theories. Corbin analyzes Jung’s works on Buddhism, providing his own understanding of the tradition and its relationship to Sufi mysticism, and explores the role of the Gnostic Sophia with respect to Jung’s most controversial essay, “Answer to Job.” He also studies the rapport between the Gnostic wisdom of Sophia and Buddhist teachings as well as examining Sophia through the lens of Jewish mysticism.

Explaining how Islamic fundamentalists have turned their back on the mystic traditions of Sufism, Corbin reveals how totalitarianism of all kinds threatens the transformative power of the imagination and the transcendent reality of the individual soul. He shows how the underlying spiritual traditions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity mesh with the spiritual teachings of Buddhism and reinforce the unity of the esoteric teachings of the world’s great religions. Comparing the imaginal realm with Jung’s archetypal field, he shows how we could transform the world by spiritualizing Jung’s methods, enabling us to transcend duality and make the created world divine.