The Red Book: A Reader's Edition

Before reading any further, note: This a review of the READER'S edition - and the Reader's Edition DOES NOT include the facsimile images (art and calligraphy) of the original "Red Book: Liber Novus." I suspect many of those who ordered the book unaware of this will be surprised and disappointed. This distinction was not made clear in Amazon pre-publication information. If you wish to see the original book in all its visual glory, pay the price and order the complete folio-sized facsimile edition. So, why then publish, and why purchase, a "Reader's Edition"? Why is the this edition important, even essential? Because the text of "Liber Novus" (as Jung formally titled his "Red Book") is really more important than the art. Jung experienced and recorded his visions and then composed his draft manuscript of Liber Novus before beginning on the art. The art and calligraphy came later, they were composed over the following 16 years or so. The text - compiled principally between 1914 and 1915, with a last section added in 1917 - is Jung's primary record of his extraordinary odyssey across the threshold of consciousness, and into the heart of mythopoetic vision. As he said: "This inner world is truly infinite, in no way poorer than the outer one. Man lives in two worlds." This is the journal of Jung's exploration of the inner world - and it ranks as one of the most important journeys of exploration in the record of human exploration. Dr. Shamdasani, who spent thirteen years editing Liber Novus for publication, has strongly suggested that one should read the text before even looking at the images. I agree. If you are ready to start that reading, there is another reason this "Reader's Edition" is an essential purchase: the big folio edition of "The Red Book: Liber Novus" is huge and physically very difficult to read. Holding it on your lap, or finding a way to prop it up and read it, is a painful task. God have mercy if you wear bifocals! This edition is formatted in a normal book size, and allows a more comfortable reading experience (if reading Liber Novus can ever be a "comfortable" experience). You will not be disappointed with the beauty of this smaller edition; it is bound "bible style" in soft faux leather with rounded corners, and printed using three colors of ink to add the distinctions in headings and text (this replicates the style of the folio edition). And of course, there is a marker ribbon sewn into the binding. I have no idea how such a finely crafted book can be sold at this price. But the text is much more difficult to meet than is the beautiful art. The calligraphy and artwork are immediately stunning, even overwhelming. I know - based on the several seminars about Liber Novus I have taught over the last three years - that most people simply never make it past this visual experience; they do not read Jung's account of what happened to him between 1913 and 1916. What confounds the reader now is the same issue that confronted Jung then: Though imaginative, mythic, apparently fictive, and ultimately subjective, what Jung met in his wanderings spoke with the voice of an objective fact. It was independent, ineffably ancient, and yet intimately and synchronously involved with human history. He perceived it as real, and the story it told had the tenor of a revelation. Without some introduction, some guiding insight into what the man was doing, most readers become quickly disoriented. To guide your first journey through Liber Novus, I highly suggest you start by reading (again) Jung's biographical memoir, " Memories, Dreams, Reflections ." At very least, study again Chapter 6, "Confrontation with the Unconscious." Then closely read Shamdasani's very fine introductory essay that prefaces Jung's text in this Reader's Edition. Next, get Dr. Shamdasani's beautiful new book, " C. G. Jung: A Biography in Books " - you will see my full review of that volume on the Amazon product page. After that, there are several hours of free lectures online from my seminars on Liber Novus. Thousands of people have them found useful, and you can find them easily by searching online for "The Red Book Lectures" or "C.G. Jung and the Red Book." Then, read. Take it slowly, give it deep consideration. It is quite a journey.

The book is beautiful - and HUGE. There is something special about this being published using photographs of Jung’s actual notebooks. The calligraphy is stunning and I notice different details each time I look at one of his drawings. A truly enigmatic man with a mind like no other. To think this was his collection of private notebooks that he kept and how it shaped his massive corpus of academic research! Photos with water bottle are to indicate size. I will treasure this forever. Next purchase is a large case in which to display it!

In C.G. Jung's RED BOOK he narrates an account with Salome of the New Testament and Elijah of the Old Testament. When I read and then listen to Stephen Hoeller's tapes on the Red Book I was struck by this encounter. Instantly Jung goes off on a tirade against Salome for her part in the beheading of John the Baptist but in nowhere in the telling of this active imagination session is there an indication that Jung recognized Elijah as John the Baptist. This was quite curious seeing that he was a preacher's son and would have known the content of the New Testament more than most that read it. For Jesus Christ, himself, in speaking of John the Baptist, mentioned that this was Elijah returned. Stephen Hoeller mentions in his tapes commenting on the Red Book that every temple in Greece is dedicated to Elijah the prophet, who represents the Sun. This is most curious for some thirty years ago I had recognized that the story in the New Testament concerning Salome represents the Moon and that its different sages represent the `Dance of Salome' and the `Man in the Moon' represents the `Head of John the Baptist' on a silver platter. The Sun represents King Herod and the Earth represents his brother's wife: Salome's mother. What is also remarkable about the dream is that Elijah calls Salome his daughter as she was the stepdaughter of King Herod. Both these figures represented mythologically the Sun and Jung's active imagination more or less coincided with the New Testament account: except for not coconsciously recognizing that Elijah was John the Baptist. Furthermore, Hoeller mentions in his tapes that Salome was doing what had to be done similar to how Judas Iscariot did what he did because he was doing what had to be done. Yet, neither Jung nor Hoeller mentions what the reasons were that these individuals did what they did. Christ mentions that John was the greatest of all prophets born of woman as Elijah was also known because he was transfigured into heaven body and soul. John as was Elijah was a prophet of the Old Testament, whereas, Jesus Christ was the prophet of the New Testament. John had to die in order to make room for the new. Here I recognize a basic paradigm from my esoteric studies of the Old Testament, yet, C.G. Jung knew nothing of the esoteric science, which explains this paradigm. The most curious aspects of Jung's telling of his encounter with Elijah and Salome was the fact that this dialogue of Jung (conscious mind) with the unconscious mind (Elijah and Salome) was literally a clash with his interpretation or `imagined reality' of biblical events as opposed to stark reality. Meaning that `stark reality' represents eternal laws, which is apparently the playground of the conscious mind. Jung's half of the dialogue was quite contentious. This record of Jung's encounter with the unconscious mind (the incident with Elijah: Sun and Salome: Moon) was most instructive. For what Jung was inadvertently recording was the basic law that govern life: man's existence in the material world. Man (individually and collectively) experiences life on earth surrounded by a stellar universe: set into motion by eternal laws. There is no way that man individually or collectively is going to upset or change those laws no matter what he erroneously thinks about them or what his thought processes are. It is obvious that man must attune his consciousness to the eternal laws and not vice versa. Another point that Jung's dialogue points out, which he was totally ignorant and unconscious of was that no matter what man's conscious thoughts or will was concerning the outer reality he was going to physically obey eternal laws . Meaning, as an example, in building his cities man literally follows the divine pattern whether he knows it or not similar to a spider building a web or a bee building a hive. Yet, when considering Jung's dialogue with the unconscious (Elijah and Salome), the New Testament account of John the Baptist's beheading and its surrounding narrative storyline and Stephen Hoeller's commentary we can extract further data from all of this material. John the Baptist's complaint against King Herod (Sun) was that he was having a relationship with his brother's wife , which he obviously by law had no right to have. In other words the unconscious mind should not dominate the conscious mind to the point of its having no life in the world. The death of John the Baptist was only half of the equation concerning the `transcendent function' coming into play as outlined in the New Testament narrative. The second half of the equation was the death of Christ on the cross. For John's baptism educated the people of Jerusalem to the government's violations of the eternal laws: hence the dance of Salome. But John the Baptist's death is similar to the Sun setting in the west, which makes room for a new day dawning with the evening arriving and Christ being found and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. John going from the east to the west to his funeral left Christ going from south to north to die on this cross of north, east, south and west. At the death of Christ the temple was rent in twain and the Jews were sent into the Diaspora and Christianity (like the phoenix) was born from the ashes of Judea. Yet, when it is realized that Christ died so that Christianity can come to birth the true meaning of Christianity come to mind. If Christ lived the world could not survive. Christ came to give humanity an exemplar. Something to strive for not necessarily obtained without first having earned it. If Christ had stayed who would actually earn the kingdom of heaven. Man would merely bask in the light of Christ and seek no more than what was being doled out to him. However, each new coming of the Christ (transcendent function) is the second coming. It is a new beginning as in BERESHITH: the first word of Genesis translated `in the beginning'. In Catholic terminology the Transcendent Function would be called the EUCHARIST. Any Catholic knows that the Eucharist should be taken daily as every Jungian knows the Transcendent Function is a lifelong tool to experience life more abundantly, which is why Christ came to give life more abundantly.

This is the ultimate book! Jung is by far a standout; one of the greatest minds of all time. His works demonstrate clearly that civilization and we, as individuals must heal society. This begins by resisting the collective forces of powers that repress the consciousness that we were born to know. As individuals, we must step forth into fully understanding self. Here is the account of Jung's adventure into the unconscious... this; a foundation for all of his work is detailed in the final volume of Carl Gustav Jung's work. The book includes a copy of his handwritten manuscript (Swiss) as well as a translation by Sonu Shamdasani. For sixteen years, Jung worked on the book, experiencing the darkness and the light of his unconscious mind and developing lasting theories of archetypes, the collective unconscious, and of individuation. The original work was locked away... his heirs denied scholars access to the book -- for nearly 100 years, we, the public could not learn of Jung's experiences... experience that clearly brought about a shift into modern psychology... a psychology of real people undergoing an awakening, an evolution of thinking, a process of individuation. It is a huge book, a mystical book; including Jung's fabulous color illustrations... it is a medieval manuscript. Yet, if you've not read any of C. G. Jung's work, this is not where to begin. There is a lot of material in this book, and Jung's works of course include volumes. The Undiscovered Self Begin with self-reflection and your personality... who are you? Use Briggs-Myers personality sorter and begin to know who you are and how that came t be... read Jung's earlier published works... it may take 10 or 20 years to evolve a comprehensive knowledge of this work... I've been at it for 40. Time is no the barrier... it is me that needed time to get it that I am needy for God's blessings. Explore the duality of your psyche... set out knowing that you must face your deepest fears. In the end, the skeletons in your closet must be aired. Begin with God... Jung's works forge a path to knowing that the human psyche is "by nature religious." If you want to know about reality, about living fully conscious life, then delve into Jung... and come about it then to read "The Red Book." Even to just thumb through the pages causes some to enter an altered state of consciousness... Like a mescaline experience. Here is a brief description of the fantastic inner world that awaits you: CONFRONTATION WITH THE UNCONSCIOUS... THE FINAL FRONTIER Summary of the revelation of Carl Jung Septem Sermones ad Mortuos: The First Sermon to the Dead by Carl Gustav Jung, 1916 Pleroma is everywhere completely and without bounds nor end. The Pleroma, which is endless and eternal, has no qualities, because it has all qualities. Even in the smallest subatomic particle known to science, the Pleroma is present without any bounds, eternally and completely. Yet, the smallest to greatest material of the universe have no place in the Pleroma. Jung on INDIVIDUATION: "We, also, are the total Pleroma; for figuratively the Pleroma is an exceedingly small, hypothetical, even non-existent point within us, and also it is the limitless firmament of the cosmos about us." "When we strive for the good and the beautiful, we thereby forget about our essential being, which is differentiation, and we are victimized by the qualities of the Pleroma which are the pairs of opposites." Individuation Individuality is the higher self. The process of getting there is individuation. Individuality is in an evolution. Individuality does not ever die nor dissolve unless under special circumstances, the individual ceases to be, by choice. Individuality remains throughout incarnations. Individuality learns from experiences. Personality does not know (usually) why nor how, nor about the incarnated history... as with every birth memory of the past is gone... we come into the world, babes in the flesh, crying and needy. Yet, individuality has an overview of all incarnations and of some knowledge of the meaning of everything past. Individuation is a process; becoming aware of oneself--that is of your composition. Individuation is the way into discovery of a true, inner self. The Red Book Liber Novus (printed on The Red Book - like a subtitle) means in Latin "New Book" but for Jung it meant the new way. Jung certainly put it there to say, "This is the book of the new way." The new way book. I've met and interacted with more than ten thousand people in my time here... during this life. I've come to know that we all make choices for reasons. Choices TWO STATES ...1. Nothing exists. ...2. Everything exists. It is logically impossible for God to not exist, therefore, everything exists is "more" correct, as it may seem at first. However, if we'd take into consideration potentials, can we bet on it that everything exists? I'd say no; easily, yet, I cannot so easily discount this logic with a fact as simple as God is. Facts add up in my mind to that God creates, always. Therefore, there is more to be than already is. This will always be the case, I'd say. So, neither argument is true in my opinion. Wait then, can there be another course of thinking that is more accurate? THREE STATES ...1. Nothing exists. ...2. Everything exists. ...3. Multiplicity is. While God is a singular being (although not a being in the sense of what we'd normally propose as being), we seen to perceive Him as three or more differentiated beings (aspects of one). Christianity is what I know best... so, I'll say from that experience that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one God. Yet, we say they are also three in unity, as one God. Anima and Animus In reality, every female and every male is a psychological amalgamation of feminine and masculine characteristics (a short description of contrasexuality). Anima (feminine) plus Animus (masculine) contrasexuality derives from the ultimate triune... Eros (masculine--independent archetype: god of love) and Logos (feminine dependant archetype: the principle governing the cosmos) that forms a soul-image. In a simple statement, two bring about a third and the amalgamation of the two in each. It is simple, yet elegant too. Look at love vs. hate, and then wonder, what is the third aspect of that duality (autonomy vs. unity)? Is it not choices? Choices come about in the differentiated world of men and women. If analyzed to their core, each choice is a factor of two opposing views (or two plus two more, and perhaps another pair and so on). So, I'm going this way... Multiplicity is. I'm not one to battle logic and for me this is logical, entirely. Living differentiated, we easily experience yin vs. yang duality (love vs. hate, etc.) and we therefore come to a crossroads and we make a decision based on morality and ethics, desires, or needs... needs being the most important factor; yet the lowest functioning of reasons for decisions. It may seem to me or to you that choices therefore are based on logic also... I'd disagree after giving this more thought. Morality and ethics, true are evolved in thought and experience. However, desires and needs are spontaneous more so than cognitive. Thus, I'd venture this guess: most people make choices based on spontaneous impulses. "After the first "fall," the divine consciousness descended to the level of the divided consciousness; now after another "fall", it has fallen even further, into the depths of the unconscious; it has been "forgotten." It is now humanity's privilege to discover the potential realms of human existence and face the great challenge of the "ascension of consciousness" through the Man-God-Spirit transformation." -- Gnosticism And The Descent Of The Soul. For this reason, Jung forged a path to reconciliation... to healing... into the divine again. Read him if you dare. Eric

I am still in the midst of this audiobook. I have been enjoying it; the narrator is perfect for this piece.

Is what i was especting

I've been a student of people my entire life, especially myself, I've studied behavioral sciences, psychology of abnormal adjustment, sociology, human growth and development and when I discovered Carl Jung from Joseph Campbell I was intrigued. Carl Jung was ahead of his time.

To re-iterate - this is NOT the full version with all the beautiful paintings and illuminated text. If you're buying it for the pretty pictures, it's going to cost you more than twenty dollars. Also, ignore any one star reviews that are just complaining because they didn't take the time to read the description and use common sense. I bought this for what it is, a portable translation of the Red Book. I already own the full sized facsimile version. While that version is inexplicably beautiful, it is impossible to carry, difficult to read for extended periods, and too expensive to let people borrow, let alone touch without washing their hands. The Reader's Edition is the size and build of a decently made bible. Those who portray this as a con are likely just venting because they didn't read the description and were expecting the full sized color version with illustrations. This is just the translation. But the imitation leather is comfortable, the pages are reasonably thick, a lot of text in a manageable size. This is like a bible you would pay for, not like the bibles that get shoved in your hands at universities and music festivals. This book travels well, is inexpensive enough to make handwritten notes in, and is much easier to read. The translation in the full-sized version is an ordeal to read though hunched over a coffee table, but this one is portable enough to absorb into. As for the content, many other reviewers stated it better than I could, but this is a must have for any fan of Jung. This is the primordial soup that birthed the theories that made him famous. The visions are the closest we'll get to the dream journal on Jung's bedside table. Sonu Shamdasani is handling his legacy beautifully, and gives very insightful, comprehensive commentary, and a very thorough foreword that puts all other Jung biographies to shame. If you're a casual reader, I'd pick up "Memories, Dreams, Reflections" first. It offers a great autobiographical history on Jung as well as summary of his theories. If you like the "Seven Sermons to the Dead" bit at the end, then consider buying the Red Book, "Sermons" is a good example of what the Red Book is. The Philemon foundation is doing an excellent job. They put out high quality versions of existing and unreleased Jung material, and will likely keep me entertained, engaged, and shelling out my disposable income for many years to come. My only request is that they make a collector's version of the Red Book actually bound in leather, with just the scans of the illuminated script. That would make the original publication lie in the middle, with the readers edition on the other end. Six stars if I could. Would lend to a friend and buy another copy if they didn't return it.

Beautiful cover. Excellent print.

This book is an absolute necessity in any Jung lovers collection. When it arrived the size of the box blew me away, this is by no means a book you can put in your pocket or carry around with you for some light reading on the bus (or fit on most bookshelves for that matter..), it is one you basically have to keep out in the open, on a coffee table or something, but be ready to answer everyone's question "What IS that...?" when they come visit your abode. This book was worth every penny and I would even purchase a second copy just to have one I could kind of get worked-in and well loved and one just to keep pristine out of respect of it's awe-inspiringness. The pages are just beautifully glossy and thick (Oh the pages...)and it is extremely well-bound. If you are a fan of well made books this one will be a perfect addition to your collection. For the Jung fans, this is a must have. If you're just getting into Jung I would purchase it anyways. The book includes an introduction to Jung and gives you a bit of a backstory if you had no idea what you were doing when you bought this book or you decided you wanted to get right into Jung full right away. Its very well written and contains a lot of good information and it's quite a few pages long. The book includes Jung's original manuscript which honestly I would pay the $200.00 for even without translation; it's THAT breathtaking. The magnificence of his paintings and calligraphy work will put you in a daze. The colours, the symbols, the precision and time it must have took... I could go on forever about how beautiful it is. I have yet to get through the whole book, it's not the kind of thing you can read in a night. If you really want an insight into what the universal mind looks like this is the book for you.

Cet ouvrage exceptionnel est d'une qualité d'impression rare. Le papier, son épaisseur, son glacé, la finesse des traits, la brillance des couleurs, la typographie des textes, tout rend hommage à l'auteur des planches. Chacune d'elle, grâce à cette qualité, est véritablement 'présente' et peut entrer en résonance avec son spectateur. Il est donc possible d'accéder à certains dessins directement, sans grandes explications. D'autres nécessitent le texte, qui est parfois ardu. Il y a de multiples façons de lire ce cadeau, en fonction du moment, mais chaque planche demande un investissement personnel pour en saisir toute la portée. C'est un magnifique témoignage, à travers l'art, de la psychologie des profondeurs. Le prix du livre est certes élevé, mais pas plus que 2 séances d'analyse et il aurait été très dommage d'avoir compromis l'ouvrage en diminuant les exigences de sa mise en page.

well made and has a very premium feel to it, the print and page quality is really good

Good paper quality