JUNG BUDDHISM, AND THE INCARNATION OF SOPHIA
Description
Henry Corbin (1903-1978) was one of the most important French philosophers and orien-talists of the 20th century. In this collection of writings, previously unpublished in English, Corbin examines the work of Carl Jung in relationship to the deep spiritual traditions of Eastern religion, the esoteric wisdom teachings of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 paths of Sufism 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 teach-ings as well as examining Sophia through the lens of Jewish mysticism.