The Vision of the Sun by Symeon the New Theologian
Modern Psychology: C. G. Jung’s Lectures at the ETH Zürich, 1933-1941
[The Vision of the Sun by Symeon the New Theologian as cited by Dr. Jung in “Modern Psychology” Page 229]
I can give you a parallel from the writings of Symeon, the New Theologian (970-1040), who also describes a vision of the sun:
“My tongue lacks words, and what happens in me my spirit sees clearly but does not explain. It sees the invisible, that emptiness of all forms, simple throughout, not complex, and in extent infinite.
For it sees no beginning, and it sees no end. It is entirely unconscious of the meanings, and does not know what to call that which it sees.
Something complete app ears, it seems to me, not indeed through the being itself, but through a participation.
For you enkindle fire from fire, and you receive the whole fire ; but this remains undiminished and undivided, as before.
Similarly, that which is divided separates itself from the first; and like something corporeal spreads itself into several lights.
This, however, is something spiritual, immeasurable, indivisible, and inexhaustible.
For it is not separated, when it becomes many, but remains undivided and is in me, and enters within my poor heart like a sun or circular disc of the sun, similar to the light, for it is a light.
And following It my spirit demanded to embrace the splendor beheld, but it found It not as creature and did not succeed in coming out from among created beings, so that it might embrace
that uncreated and uncomprehended splendor.
Nevertheless it wandered everywhere, and strove to behold It.
It penetrated the air, it wandered over the Heavens, it crossed over the abysses, it searched, as it seemed to it, the ends of the world . But in all of that it found nothing, for all was created.
And I lamented and was sorrowful, and my breast burned, and I lived as one distraught in mind.
But It came, as It would, and descending like a luminous mystic cloud, It seemed to envelop my whole head so that dismayed I cried out.
But flying away again It left me alone.
And when I, troubled, sought for It, I realized suddenly that It was in me, myself, and in the midst of my heart It app eared as the light of a spherical sun “.
You will not reach the sun
You gain everything from the God whom you bear, but not his weapon, since he crushed it. He who conquers needs weapons. But what else do you want to conquer? You cannot conquer more than the earth. And what is the earth? It is round allover and hangs like a drop in the cosmos.
You will not reach the sun, and your power will not even extend to the barren moon; you will conquer neither the sea, nor the snow on the poles, nor the sands of the desert, but only a few spots on the green earth. You will not conquer anything for any length of time. Your power will turn into dust tomorrow, for above all-at the very least-you must conquer death. So do not be a fool, throw down your weapon. God himself smashed his weapon. Armor is enough to protect you from fools who still suffer from the need to conquer. God’s armor will make you invulnerable and invisible to the worst fools. ~Carl Jung; Red Book
Carl Jung: I am watching the setting sun
To T. Yagisawa
Dear Sir, 24 December 1957
Thank you ever so much for your kind letter.
You are the first representative of the Japanese nation from whom I hear that he has read my books.
So your letter is a memorable fact in my life.
It shows how slow mental travelling is: it took me more than 30 years to reach Japan but I have not even arrived yet at the University of my own town.
It is indeed most gratifying and encouraging to me to know that I have readers in Japan, since I know how specifically European most of my works are.
It is true, however, that I have tried to demonstrate the universal character of the psyche as well as I could.
But it is an almost superhuman task: “Art is long, and our life is short.”
I am now in my 83rd year and my creative work has come to an end.
I am watching the setting sun.
Many thanks and my best wishes for a happy New Year,
Yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. II, Page 405