After the illness a fruitful period of work began for me.
Memories Dreams Reflections A Biography by Aniela Jaffe
In his autobiography Jung would speak of the importance of this experience:
After the illness a fruitful period of work began for me.
A good many of my principal works were written only then.
The insight I had, or the vision of the end of all things, gave me the courage to undertake new formulations.
I no longer attempted to put across my own opinion, but surrendered myself to the current of my thoughts [ . . . ].
Something else, too, came to me from my illness. I might formulate it as an affirmation of things as they are: an unconditional ‘yes’ to that which is, without subjective protests—acceptance of the conditions of existence as I see them and understand them, acceptance of my own nature, as I happen to be [ . . . ].
It was only after the illness that I understood how important it is to affirm one’s own destiny.
In this way we forge an ego that does not break when incomprehensible things happen; an ego that endures, that endures the truth, and that is capable of coping with the world and with fate.
Then, to experience defeat is also to experience victory.
Nothing is disturbed – neither inwardly or outwardly, for one’s own continuity has withstood the current of life and of time’ ~Carl Jung, MDR, Page 297.
Carl Jung and organic illness (accidents, injuries, etc.)
To Joachim Knopp
Dear Herr Knopp, 10 July 1946
An author by the name of Jakob Lorber is unfortunately not known to me.
With regard to homoeopathy you are quite right in considering it a continuation of alchemical practice. This is indeed so. I recommend you to take a look at the writings of Hahnemann.
You will find them listed in any encyclopedia .
Regarding organic illness (accidents, injuries, etc.) it can be stated with certainty that these things do at least have psychological syndromes, i.e., there is a concomitant psychic process which can sometimes also have an aetiological significance, so that it looks as though the illness were a psychic arrangement.
At any rate there are numerous cases where the symptoms exhibit, in a positively remarkable way, a symbolic meaning even if no psychological pathogenesis is present.
One cannot say that every symptom is a challenge and that every cure takes place in the intermediate realm between psyche and physis.
One can only say that it is advisable to approach every illness from the psychological side as well, because this may be extraordinarily important for the healing process.
When these two aspects work together, it may easily happen that the cure takes place in the intermediate realm, in other words that it consists of a complexio oppositorum, like the lapis. In this case the illness is in the fullest sense a stage of the individuation process.
I don’t know under what conditions you could study in Switzerland. But I would advise you to write tentatively to the Dean of the Medical Faculty [in Zurich) .
Someone there might be able to help you.
I myself have long since given up lecturing at the University, nor do I lecture any more at the Federal Polytechnic. So in this respect I can give you no information.
..Unfortunately I don’t know any psychotherapist for you now in Germany why has my confidence.
Some of these people are dead, some have disappeared. As you know, my teachings were suppressed as much as possible in Germany both before and during the “era .”
Consequently, though I am very well known in Anglo-Saxon countries only a very few people know me in Germany-a land of the dead as you rightly say.
Yours truly,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Pages 428-429.
Jung-White Correspondence during Jung’s Illness.
Dear Dr. Jung, Dec. 11, 1946
I am extremely thankful to hear from Miss Schmid that you are now able to read.
I venture therefore to send you a few lines but refrain from saying all that I should like to do.
I need hardly tell you that you are very much in my thoughts and prayers at present, and, as I know, in those of very many other people in England too. . . .
Ever yours sincerely,
Victor White, O.P. ~Victor White, Jung-White Letters, Page 57.
Jung responded: on Dec. 18th, 1946:
Dear Father White,
Thank you for your dear letter.
It is a great consolation to know that one is included in the prayers of fellow beings.
The aspectus mortis (aspect of death) is a mighty lonely thing, when you are stripped of everything in the presence of God. . . .
I am very weak.
The situation dubious.
Death does not seem imminent, although an embolism can occur any time again.
I confess to be afraid of a long drawn-out suffering.
It seems to me as if I were 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. . . .
I don’t know whether I can answer your next letter again.
But let us hope—
Gratefully yours,
C. G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Jung-White Letters, Pages 59-60
My illness proved to be a valuable experience