How many of us have the courage, the understanding and the wisdom to really know, let alone live our destiny? Edinger qoutes Jung (CW17,par296) as saying, "A man can make a moral decision to go his own way only if he holds that way to be best. If any other way were held to be better, then he would live and develope that other personality instead of his own" (p. 26) Sounds like a Koan of sorts, yet if one is truly striving to individuate, "blindly pursuing our way," we may eventially be on the "Road to Dasmascus." What to do? We need guides, "Old Wise Men and Women." A Yoda or two to interpret the symbols, the numinosum...this book is like bumping into Yoda in the deep part of the forest, when conflicts are almost too much to bare.

I must sometimes grit my teeth and slog through Edinger to discover his pearls of wisdom. Not this time. This work I found quite accesible, the material thoroughly digested, well laid out and clearly explained. My copy is already massively underlined and dog-eared. (I'm presuming you'd have some knowledge of Jung before reading this book.)

Jung surpasses himself here by seeing in alchemical symbolism the psyche trying to discover itself to the artifex bent over his alchemical retort. Only one who'd discovered his own version of the fabulous Philosopher's Stone could have attempted such a work.

This book is a result of Jung's extensive study of old Alchemical practices and his efforts to connect and interpret it in the light of his own psychological concepts. The book gives sense to ancient Alchemy practices and explains them as symbols of the process of human spiritual growth.

Jung explains different steps of this process and illustrates them with phases of the symbolic process of alchemic transmutation, leading to integration of the soul and producing alchemyc gold - or in terms of his own concept the result of the process of individuation.

Concrete examples from his own psychiatric experience of dream analysis and monitoring psychological growth very vividly and convincingly illustrate this concept in action.

The book is richly illustrated with authentic alchemic iconography which renders reader authentic atmosphere and taste of ancient art.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in connecting ancient spiritual practices and modern psychological interpretation theories.

The penultimate title in C.G. Jung's 20 - volume Collected Works, The Psychology of the Transference is a short, seemingly complex book which readily rewards the reader who perseveres and is unintimidated by Jung's lengthy sentences, the alchemical illustrations, or the numerous passages in Latin.

Jung's subject is his discovery that the "great work" of the 16th and 17th century alchemists -- a search for the 'philosopher's stone' of 'psychic wholeness' (as opposed to 'psychic perfection') -- corresponds closely to the psychological process of the transference (a dynamic set of duo projections of unconscious psychic contents). The alchemical process mysteriously corresponds not only the transference possible between psychologist and patient, but between any two individuals who spontaneously (unconsciously) constellate some part of the other's psyche through normal human interaction.

However, as with all of Jung's later work, the book's larger focus is the psychic evolution of the individual. The Psychology of the Transference's pivotal message is that the process of cautiously evolving one's consciousness to the hypothetical point of 'individuation' or 'integration,' is primarily a moral and ethical one. The book stresses that it is also a critically necessary process, however painful and potentially dangerous. In Jung's estimation, mankind has no choice but to accept the challenge of psychic evolution: the alternative is a perpetual present state of misunderstanding, hatred, suspicion, bigotry, oppression, war, and genocide.

Like Freud, Jung believed that man's psyche contains an enormous multi-tier unconscious reservoir, one which not only dwarfs man's generally narrow consciousness but is also the matrix in which consciousness originated (thus the alchemical motto "high rests on low"). The unconscious is the original abode of all drives, demons, and daimons, all instincts and angels, all creativity and appetites for destruction. Since many of its contents are unacceptable to modern man -- the most foundational of these being the incest complex - these damned and rejected contexts are not and cannot be readily integrated into consciousness. Instead, they are spontaneously projected outward onto other human beings, social classes, institutions, and countries -- onto any 'object' that is perceived as other and different from the self. No man can evolve his consciousness without first becoming aware of and retracting these projections and learning to comfortably accept them as his own dark potentialities. It is not simply of matter of leaving the instinctual man behind, but of learning to integrate the necessary if often unattractive instinctual and vital functions into consciousness before moving forward. Thus the process is one of refinement and accumulation and not one of elimination.

Only the first major step in a series (Emerson: "Every ultimate fact is only the first of a new series"), the confrontation with and integration of the 'shadow' is often a harrowing and precarious process. If man accepts this task without ample preparation, inner fortification, and secure sense of identity (which he nonetheless must be willing to forgo), he may come to despise himself, lose all motivation, become morally degenerate, or commit suicide. But if he does not recognize, accept and take up his own cross, he will blame, and attempt to injure or destroy, other people, classes, races, or countries to eradicate the sense of indefinable angst, doubt, suspicion, and fear that impinges itself so relentlessly upon his psyche; as Jung perfectly expressed it, he will endlessly attempt to free himself of "that thing that thrusts itself tyrannically upon him in the stillness and loneliness of the night."

Only after man has accepted and integrated his 'shadow' can he, 'reborn,' proceed rightfully ahead. It is this slow process ('make haste slowly' was another motto of the alchemists) of prudent illumination towards conscious realization of the "whole man," or "self," as Jung called it, that the alchemists referred to as "the great work," the highest single achievement of which man is capable. Thus, though the alchemists apparently sought to turn base metal into gold, "gold" was in truth a simple metaphor for successfully integrated consciousness. Clearly, most of mankind, finding the burden of unconsciousness easier to bear than the burden of conscious realization and responsibility, regrettably and understandably fails in even this initial step. As a result, man lives in a predominantly fallen world of near - animal existence.

The Psychology of the Transference is one of the most concise and digestible books in Jung's oeuvre; its insights and wisdom are readily applicable to life in the 21st century. As in the balance of his previous eighteen titles, Jung presents the world as an incredible place of breathtaking depth, mystery, and meaning, most of which is lost on the average man, who typically lives in a state of permanent hibernation from objective reality. However, Jung's worldview is also one in which nature is infinitely strange and capable of continuous unexpected manifestations, unique hybrid creations, and monsters, simply because the process of psychic evolution is not only something man must willingly confront, but because it is a process which nature inexorably demands.

It is to Jung's credit that with The Psychology of the Transference he is able to present his ideas in direct, palatable, and useful fashion without dilution. A world of readers are blindly searching for this book, and turning instead to authors like Herman Hesse and Carlos Casteneda, 'New Age' crank authors whose work is merely plagiarism of Jung, or lesser psychologists who offer up Jung's ideas in vastly diluted form. The Psychology of the Transference, a deep and hopeful book, is the source to which questing readers should turn.

Yes, "transference" was originally Freud's term, but Jung's use in this 1946 essay is expanded far beyond what Freud (or anyone practicing psychology today) could possibly recognize. For Jung, transference was about a person's relation with his or her Unconscious, and the spectrum of possible relationships extends from delusion to liberating insight. Thus, transference is not just about the patient's relationship to the therapist; rather, transference is ultimately about the individual's relationship with the whole of life. After an introductory section, Jung frames his essay as a commentary on the *Rosarium Philosophorum*, an alchemical text published in 1550. The text focuses on a series of ten drawings that will assuredly appear bizarre to folks unfamiliar with alchemical symbols; however, Jung's brilliant analysis demonstrates that these apparently monstrous images actually map out, symbolically, that path to inner liberation. Indeed, this essay, late in Jung's career, represents him at the height of his powers, synthesizing symbols from a variety of sources to create a text dense with insights into the fundamental problems of human life.

"A remarkable and helpful collection of the dialogues begun by Jung and his followers with the great teachings of the East. These are visionary papers which raise profound questions about human wholeness in the spiritual and psychological world. I hope that this book sparks continued and deepening discussions."

"It is an urgent necessity that Eastern and Western intellectual traditions be bridged in order to establish a new spiritual foundation for the one world to come. This book is an excellent anthology which pursues this very task in its focus on C.G. Jung -- a unique and originative Western thinker in the field of depth psychology -- and Buddhism."

A unique perspective that uses science and social principles to illustrate and set up a real world problem for the reader and Adam to solve. Highly accurate geologic illustrations add depth to the story. I've made great tie-ins to real world problems from this book.

I think this is the best children's book available. I love the story and the great plot that children can learn from. Truly an exceptional book for children. Adam is a fascinating character and a deep one for children to relate to. Absolutely a must read.for your young child.

This is a must for those wishing to study and understand Mahler's Immense third symphony. The print is very large and readable. Though I wish there were more translations for the German text, there is enough in the parts themselves to take a guess. Mahler's 4th is a charming piece. I love it for it's sincerity and modesty. Being the shortest and "simplestic" orchestration, it makes a great introductory Mahler symphony.

The score is very durable and is large and easy to read. The price is wonderful -- for the starving music student, particularly!

I highly reccommend this score to professionals and those adventurous listers out there.

Listening to Mahler's 3rd symphony is an inexorable experience. Reading the score while listening is ecstatic. It adds a lot to the enjoyment of the music if you have a copy of the score in hand. You can relate another sensory organ to the music, elevating the experience to greater heights.

Before I had the score, all I knew was there were several French horns playing the opening call in the 3rd (M3) but I know now that there are exactly 8 horns playing in unison. Like Aaron Copland said in his book 'What to Listen for in Music', "If there exists a more noble sound than eight horns singing a melody fortissimo in unison, I have never heard it". I think he's referring to M3's opening horn call. Magnificent! And now with the score in hand, I know exactly how the music was put on the score by Mahler, it's notation, expressive remarks, etc.

In some books that I read or even in the liner books that comes with the CDs, there is often reference to the measures in the music. Without the score, you will never know which measure that they are talking about. If you're really a Mahler fan, or for that matter, if you are really into a certain piece of music, buy the score. Believe me, it will add to your enjoyment.

However, some of you may think that it's a waste of time since you do not know how to read music. Yes, knowing how to read music will help a lot buy hey! reading music is not difficult to learn. All you need is to have the passion for music inside you and the passion to explore the music. If you have this, there's nothing that can be in your way.

The Dover series of scores are mostly reliable. Commercially, they are the best there is.

This book was incredibly accurate in describing me when I'm under stress. I never knew why, when under stress, I can't seem to keep track of ANY details and I become completely disorganized. Upon reading the book, I found out that people of my personality types (I'm an ISXJ, which means that I fit most of the description for both ISFJ, and ISTJ) tend to lose control of facts and details in their lives, which these 2 personality types are normally pros at dealing with. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the MBTI types by learning how the types act when under stress (and "in the grip" of their inferior function).

This has to be one of the most interesting books I've yet read on Jungian/Briggsian personality type dynamics, and probably one of the most accurate as well, when it comes to predicting how a certain personality will react when under stress. Actually, that is the central topic to this fascinating book: how different, normal personalities react in different ways to external stressors, which vary, as well, by the 16 different types.

What's fascinating is to see, for example, that as an INTP, my stressors are radically different than they would be for an ESFJ (my polar opposite). What I find to be stressful, someone of another personality type would find to be the ideal situation in which to find him/herself. My stressors include: routine work, having my space intruded on at work, situations that involve lots of forced small talk, deadlines, inefficient paperwork and excessively (to me) emotional situations. And yet, someone else might find precisely these kinds of things heavenly.

I found typical INTP (related, ISTP) reactions to highly stressed situations to be very true for me as well. From the bitter cynicism, to blowing up emotionally and completely losing control, to losing complete touch with logic, I've seen every one of these behaviors in me when I'm pushed to the max, and am forced into the depths of emotion. Sometimes I don't stay there very long, in fact, I honestly hate being there, exactly as Quenk mentions.

What's even more interesting about this book, is that the behaviors are culled from Quenk's experiences and interviews with hundreds of different individuals from all personality types. While each person's reaction is very slightly different within the explorations of the sixteen types, it's very easy to see some very common patterns. Quenk does this in a very well thought out and a thouroughly researched manner.

My one (VERY) small gripe with the book is that there appears to have been a template used for each of the personality type chapters, because the introductory paragraphs to each subsection of each chapter are identical. But, with the sheer wealth of information in this book, it's really almost irrelevant. I've learned a lot about how to handle my "grip" and stressed behaviors a bit better, and to understand others' stressors as well.

A wonderful book, and a must-read reference for everyone!

With its humble wit and universal wisdom, this is a treasure of a book. Full of numerous insights from Jung, Sophia and "sacred geometry", one can't help but feel more whole by the end of this book...and yet thirsting for more. Clearly Ms. Howell has found her path and we are all the more for her ability to share it.

I recommend it to anyone on any kind of a spiritual path. It may not be THE answer, but it's a part of it.

What a wonderful book! I don't know where to start ... with a relish for words, absolute gentleness, and readily apparent experience, Ms. Howell opens a door into the universe. But rather than dictate the truth, she simply shares the truths she and her husband discovered while visiting the island of Iona. At the end, you are left with courage, inspiration, hope, and an appendix full of exercises - because she can't (and wouldn't, even if she could) give you the answers; you must discover them yourself.

I've already recommended this book to several people. And I have no doubts that it will stay on my very short list of highly recommended books.

I was handed this book in 1985. It was required reading for my training as a follower of Wicca. I can not recommend it highly enough. Dr. Harding's book was difficult to read at times, but very necessary for me. The way she wrote about intuition and history changed my life.

Please do not let this book fall into the Out-of-Print Abyss! This book is a must for anyone studying or wanting to comprehend the feminine nature, personally and archetypally. The forerunner of all current Woman Studies, its a fundamental must. Why start with the copied, watered - down versions? A classic stands the ultimate test of time, expresses the Eternal. Most women- oriented movements have given way to a Full Moon biased, illuminated consciousness, once again letting the Darker, Waning Moon consciouness disappear out of sight. Harding presents a very insightful piece on the darker more instinctual feminine, "Our women have learned human manners and emotions-pity, consideration,love;but not so far beneath the surface, slumbering in unconsciousness, the old primitive form of feminine instinct lurks, ready to spring up again and perhaps even to reassert its power over consciousness in any critical situation(p50,1971)." It takes not only someone who has achieved great Logos through her scholarly background, but someone who has lived it as well. Esther Harding is a lesser known American Treasure that needs to be brought back to life so she can continue to inspire all women striving to connect to their true feminine nature.

This book is not for the serious researcher, but is tremendously interesting for those curious about the sometimes zany history of California's place names. Most entries include an interesting tangle of history and culture and the usual mispronunciation of Native American names by early white settlers. Its a fun book that would make a great stocking stuffer and should brought along on any California road trip. Two thumbs on this one.