Psychological individuation and spiritual enlightenment: some comparisons and points of contact

Abstract

In his writings on individuation Jung often references Eastern religions and philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. This essay discusses differences and similarities between analytical psychology's concept of individuation, especially in its advanced stages, and enlightenment as expressed in such texts as Zen (Chan) Buddhism's Ten Ox-Herding Pictures. I advance the argument that important common features can be found while cultural differences must also be respected. There is here a convergence between West and East that can foster dialogue and mutuality.

Keywords: Bouddhisme Zen; Buddismo Zen; Budismo Zen; Erleuchtung; Individuation; Zen Buddhism; Zenbuddhismus; enlightenment; illumination; illuminazione; iluminación; individuación; individuation; individuazione; unio mentalis; unione mentale; unió mentalis; unus mundus; Дзен Буддизм; индивидуация; просветление; 分离; 禅宗佛教; 统一世界; 自性化; 觉悟.