Islamic Cultures and Jungian Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe nature of the self, consciousness, and various levels of imagination have been subjects of in-depth investigation by various Islamic philosophers since the tenth century. There are significant parallels and similarities between the major ideas in analytical psychology and Islam, especially mystical Islam, with a great potential for cross-fertilization between the two traditions. However, very little is known or has been written in this area, and the applicability of Jungian psychotherapy/analysis to Muslim patients remains unexplored. Furthermore, the rise in Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism in the past decades have led to negative projections on Muslims, the demonization of Islam, and the development of cultural complexes, which together have contributed to biases toward individuals with Muslim cultural backgrounds. With the anticipated significant rise in the Muslim population in this century, depth psychotherapists can no longer afford to overlook this population. Knowledge of clinical work with Muslim patients and understanding how to navigate the clinical issues that emerge in working with this population are going to be essential for psychotherapists. The similarities between the major ideas in analytical psychology and Islam, and the relevance and applicability of Jungian analysis in clinical work with patients from Muslim cultural backgrounds, are explored in this article.