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Carl Jung and 易经 Yijing (The Book of Changes)

Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. (1875-1961)

Carl Jung came to know about the Yijing (Book of Changes) through his interactions with sinologist Richard Wilhelm, who translated the Yijing into German. Wilhelm sent Jung a copy of The Secret of the Golden Flower, which sparked Jung's interest in Chinese philosophy and led him to explore the Yijing.

Jung recognized the profound wisdom and parallels between the Yijing and his own concepts, ultimately incorporating it into his work on synchronicity and the exploration of meaningful connections in the world.

Carl Jung incorporated the understanding of the Yijing (Book of Changes) into his psychology work in several ways.

Firstly, he recognized the Yijing as a profound expression of the principle of synchronicity in Chinese culture, viewing it as a system that enabled individuals to tap into the collective unconscious and access higher wisdom beyond rational thought.

Jung utilized the Yijing as a tool for divination and guidance in his therapeutic work, exploring the symbolic content and connections between the hexagrams to gain psychological insights.

Additionally, the Yijing played a role in Jung's exploration of meaningful coincidences and their significance in the process of individuation and psychological integration.

By incorporating the wisdom of the Yijing into his psychology, Jung aimed to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and navigate their lives in alignment with a broader cosmic order.

In summary, Carl Jung's concept of synchronicity and the Yijing share common ground in their exploration of meaningful connections and patterns in the world. They both invite individuals to perceive a deeper order in reality and emphasize the significance of paying attention to synchronistic events or divinatory symbols to gain insights and guidance in life.

Resources:
https://eternalisedofficial.com/2022/05/23/synchronicity-carl-jung/

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Golden-Flower-Chinese-Book/dp/0156799804