The Seven Sermons to the Dead (1916) by Carl Gustav Jung

Master Key Society・2 minutes read

The Seven Sermons to the Dead by Carl Jung explore the concepts of Pleroma, Creatura, and Abraxas, delving into the unity of opposites and the essence of distinctiveness in spirituality and sexuality. Jung emphasizes the importance of communion, distinguishing between gods and daemons, and finding rest in oneself as a gateway between the inner and outer worlds, ultimately leading towards a higher divinity.

Insights

  • Carl Jung wrote the Seven Sermons to the Dead in 1916, attributed to Basilides, a Gnostic scholar, marking a significant period in his exploration of the unconscious from 1913 to 1923.
  • The concept of the Pleroma, Creatura, and Abraxas introduced in the sermons emphasizes the interplay of opposites, distinctiveness, and the necessity of communion to navigate the complexities of spirituality, sexuality, and the afterlife, shedding light on Jung's foundational ideas that influenced his later works.

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Recent questions

  • Who wrote The Seven Sermons to the Dead?

    Carl Jung

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Summary

00:00

"Jung's Seven Sermons: Exploring Unconscious Vision"

  • The Seven Sermons to the Dead were written by Carl Jung in 1916, attributed to Basilides, a Gnostic scholar.
  • Jung began exploring the unconscious in 1913, leading to visionary experiences until 1923.
  • The dialogues and visions Jung experienced were considered the core of his later works.
  • The first sermon discusses nothingness and fullness, introducing the concept of the Pleroma.
  • Creatura, distinct from the Pleroma, is confined within time and space.
  • The essence of the creature lies in distinctiveness, striving against sameness.
  • The creature must distinguish qualities of the Pleroma to avoid dissolution into nothingness.
  • The Pleroma contains pairs of opposites, which the creature must navigate to maintain distinctiveness.
  • God is creatura, distinct from the Pleroma, embodying effective fullness.
  • Abraxas, representing the unity of opposites, is the effective force above both God and the Devil.

17:22

"Abraxas: Power, Truth, and Contradiction"

  • Abraxas is a powerful entity that transcends the sun in strength, embodying both life and death simultaneously.
  • Abraxas represents truth and lies, good and evil, light and darkness, all within the same word and action.
  • Abraxas is described as a terrifying figure, embodying various contradictory aspects such as beauty and monstrosity.
  • The power of Abraxas is twofold, with the god-sun representing life and the devil representing death.
  • The dead seek knowledge about gods and devils, with the god-sun symbolizing the highest good and the devil representing the opposite.
  • Eros and the Tree of Life are described as two god-devils, with Eros symbolizing flame and the Tree of Life representing slow growth.
  • Spirituality is likened to the celestial world, while sexuality is associated with the earthly realm.
  • Man and woman are warned to distinguish between spirituality and sexuality to avoid becoming devils to each other.
  • Communion is deemed necessary due to man's weakness in the face of gods and daemons, with singleness being opposed to communion.
  • Man is portrayed as a gateway between the outer world of gods and the inner world, with a single Star representing his divinity and goal.

34:46

"Prayer to God Creates Bridge Over Death"

  • Man finds rest in him, with the soul journeying towards him after death, where all that man brings back from the greater world shines as light. Prayer to this one god increases the light of the Star, creating a bridge over death, preparing life for the smaller world, and calming the desires of the greater world. The Star burns when the greater world grows cold, with nothing standing between man and his god except the distraction of Abraxas, representing weakness and nothingness here, but eternal creative power there, where darkness and moisture are replaced by sunlight.
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