Carl Jung: “It is a great consolation to know that one’s included in the prayers of fellow beings.”

C.G. Jung Letters, Vol. 1: 1906-1950

To Father Victor White

Dear Father White, 18 December 1946

Thank you for your dear letter.

It is a great consolation to know that one’s included in the prayers of fellow beings.

The aspectus mortis is a mighty lonely thing, when you are so stripped of everything in the presence of God.

One’s wholeness is tested mercilessly.

An accumulation of drugs however necessary has made a complete rag of myself.

I had to climb out of that mess and I am now whole again.

Yesterday I had a marvellous dream: One bluish diamond, like a star high in heaven, reflected in a round quiet pool-heaven above, heaven below.

The imago Dei in the darkness of the earth, this is myself.

The dream meant a great consolation.

I am no more a black and endless sea of misery and suffering but a certain amount thereof contained in a divine vessel.

I am very weak.

The situation dubious.

Death does not seem imminent, although an embolism can occur anytime again.

I confess I am afraid of a long drawn-out suffering.

It seems to me as if I am ready to die, although as it looks to me some powerful thoughts are still flickering like lightnings in a summer night.

Yet they are not mine, they belong to God, as everything else which bears mentioning.

Please write again to me.

You have a purity of purpose which is beneficial.

Thank you for the records, quite interesting!

I don’t know whether I can answer your next letter again.

But let us hope.

Gratefully,

Yours,

C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Pages 449-450.

Notes:

Over a month earlier Jung had had a very serious heart embolism. His letter is written by hand, apparently lying down. It is the first of a long series of handwritten
letters, often of many pages, showing his great personal interest in the correspondence with W., who seemed able to give Jung what he felt he needed most: a man with whom he could discuss on equal terms matters of vital importance to him.

It is significant that with the growing estrangement over the problem of the privatio boni (cf. White, 31 Dec. 49, n. 1) the handwritten letters are replaced by dictated, typed ones, except for the very last two (25 Mar. 60, 30 Apr. 60), written during W.’s fatal illness. About three-quarters of Jung’s letters to him, comprising all the important discussions of psychological and religious problems, are published in this selection, but some of a too private nature are omitted.