Red Book, Middle Way - How Jung Parallels the Buddha's Method for Human Integration - Robert M. Ellis
Death of the Hero
Red Book, Middle Way - How Jung Parallels the Buddha's Method for Human Integration - Robert M. Ellis
Robert M. Ellis [+]
Middle Way Society
Robert M. Ellis is author of a range of interdisciplinary books on Middle Way Philosophy, both within and beyond Buddhism. These have included The Buddha’s Middle Way: Experiential Judgement in His Life and Teaching (Equinox Publishing, 2019) and Archetypes in Religion and Beyond: A Practical Theory of Human Integration and Inspiration (Equinox Publishing, 2022). He is also founder of the Middle Way Society and of Tirylan House Retreat Centre in Wales.
Description
The Red Book early on depicts the killing of the hero, thus symbolising the limitations of the ego. However, as he goes on Jung finds himself re-encountering the heroic through sacrifice, magic and a ‘son’ who apparently represents his work. Jung’s process of killing but also reviving the hero also reflects the Middle Way in that he can’t succeed by merely repressing, nor by idealising, his own ego.