Is Reading Carl Jung Dangerous? A Comprehensive Guide

Recently, I came across some comments on YouTube that frightened me. People said that reading Carl Jung's works can transform your life, and that it shouldn't be done in a bad state. I once took ayahuasca in a good state and had a great time. Is this comparable to reading Jung's works?

My Take on Reading Carl Jung

No, it’s not comparable. However, reading Carl Jung critically and reflectively is crucial. Perhaps the next time you take ayahuasca, an understanding of Jung and his works can help you conceptualize the significance of your visions.

Advice for Reading Carl Jung

Before taking any advice, I strongly recommend the following:

Examine the Person's Life: Consider the life of the person offering advice. Do you want the life they have? Do you respect and admire them? If so, perhaps you can consider their advice. If not, move along. Grain of Salt: Remember that every person is a limited being with limited experience, perceptions, and personal preferences. Take everyone's comments with a grain of salt, especially those with little life experience, such as people under the age of 35 or those who have never traveled. Multifaceted Sources: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Consult multiple sources, including experts in Jung's works and those who oppose them. Read academic works that have spent years analyzing Jung's materials and talk to individuals who critically assess his theories.

By doing so, you’ll get a comprehensive understanding. Remember, everyone and everything has pros and cons, and these depend significantly on the end-user. Not everyone may respond well to Jung’s ideas, just as not everyone reacts well to peanuts unless they have an allergy.

Investigating for Yourself

Finally, investigate the experience for yourself. Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Only you will know how you respond to life. Over time, your responses to the same stimuli will change. Trust your own intuition, thoughts, and feelings. If a paragraph feels disturbing to you, move along.

My Perspective on Jung

I have never found Carl Jung’s writings, especially the Red Book, to be disturbing. I love his work and it has greatly informed my 30-year personal and professional practice. However, don’t take my word for it. Investigate for yourself, as everyone responds differently to his theories.

Good luck to you!