The Secret of the Golden Flower: Chinese Book of Life - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062501844 ISBN 13: 9780062501844

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993

Synopsis

This ancient Chinese manual of spiritual alchemy was brought to the West in translation by missionary and theologian Richard Wilhelm. According to Carl Jung, he had reached an impasse in his work on the psychology of the unconscious when Wilhelm introduced him to "The Secret of the Golden Flower". This proved to be a monumental event in Jung's career and he credits this text with having provided him with a key to the resolution of this impasse. In view of the influence of Jung's work in the subsequent development of psychology, religious studies and New Age culture in general, the importance of this work in the introduction of traditional oriental psychology into modern Western mental culture has been great indeed. Written over 200 years ago as a revival of an ancient teaching, the work is a popular guide to Buddhist and Taoist techniques, for clarifying the mind and awakening its latent potential.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The brilliant new translation of the classic Taoist guide to meditation that Carl Jung made famous.

'Thomas Cleary's translation is like an island of peace in the troubled sea of today's world. His beautifully lucid translation of the classic Chinese text transcends the limitations of its culture to reveal universal and timeless practices that awaken awareness and clarity of mind.'
JUNE SINGER, author of 'Seeing Through the Visible World'

'This text, like all of Cleary's work, shows that these Eastern classics have a depth of intelligence that can enrich any serious Western person. Until Cleary, these books have too often been shrouded in a mist of mystical allure and vague sentiment. Cleary is finally making them authentically available. In giving this particular text of extraordinary density and subtlety its first definitive presentation in English, Cleary has done a great service in opening 'The Secret of the Golden Flower' to as much true understanding and application as diligent attention can allow.'
JACOB NEEDLEMAN, author of 'The Heart of Philosophy'

'Thomas Cleary's new and inspiring translation of one of the great mystical classics is most welcome in these times of great spiritual hunger.'
CHARLES T. TART, Ph.D.>, author of 'Open Mind, Discriminating Mind' and 'Transpersonal Psychologies'

THOMAS CLEARY, Ph.D., East Asian Studies, Harvard University is editor and translator of 'The Essential Tao', 'The Essential Confucius' and the bestselling 'The Art of War'.

About the Author:

Thomas Cleary earned his Ph.D. in East Asian studies at Harvard University and is renowned for his translations of classic Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, Pali and Arabic religious texts. His translations include the bestselling ‘The Art of War’, ‘The Essential Tao’, ‘The Essential Confucius’, ‘The Essential Koran’, and ‘The Secret of the Golden Flower’. He lives in Cambridge, MA.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0062501844
• ISBN 13: 9780062501844
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128