The Ultimate Jung’s Reading Guide: A Path to Mastering Jungian Psychology
The title might sound a bit tacky, but I assure you, this guide is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Recently, I’ve come across many people asking, “What’s the best way to start learning about Carl Jung?” To help, I’ve crafted what I believe is the best path to dive into Jung’s rich world of psychology.
This reading guide is designed to give you a strong foundation in Jung’s concepts, psychodynamics, and methods. After working through these books, you’ll finally grasp what the individuation journey really means and how to integrate your shadow. Beyond that, you’ll understand Jung’s approach to interpreting dreams and tapping into the unconscious.
If I could start my Jungian journey all over again, this is exactly how I’d do it. So, forget the post-Jungians for now—it’s time to go straight to the source.
1. Start with “Man and His Symbols”
Read only chapters 1 (Jung’s chapter) and 3 (Marie-Louise von Franz’s chapter). This provides an accessible introduction to some of Jung’s key ideas, setting the stage for what’s coming next.
2. “The Practice of Psychotherapy” (Volume 16)
Read just part one. This will give you a deeper understanding of Jung’s psychotherapeutic methods, personality development, and views on psychotherapy.
3. “The Undiscovered Self” (Volume 10, Chapter 4)
Here, Jung explores the importance of self-knowledge in navigating modern life. It’s a crucial piece for understanding his philosophy of the self.
4. “Development of Personality” (Volume 17, Chapter 7)
This chapter gives insight into Jung’s concept of the individuation process—what it entails and how it shapes personality development.
5. “A Reply to Martin Buber” (Volume 18, Chapter 12)
This is essential reading for understanding Jung’s position on religion and metaphysics. Spoiler: If you thought Jung was a Gnostic mystic, you might be in for a surprise.
6. “Aion” (Volume 9, Chapters 1-4)
These chapters are dense, so much so that the editors asked Jung to write an introduction to his key concepts. Here, he discusses the Ego, the Shadow, the Syzygy, and the Self.
7. “Two Essays on Analytical Psychology” (Volume 7)
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, this entire volume is worth reading. It encompasses the core of Jung’s ideas.
8. “The Tavistock Lectures” (Volume 18, Chapter 1)
In this lecture series, Jung introduces his typology, which forms the basis for his theory of psychological types. It’s a fun read, too, as you see how the British scholars challenged him.
9. “Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious” (Volume 9.1, Chapters 1-3)
By now, you’ll be ready to dive into Jung’s exploration of archetypes and the collective unconscious. These chapters cover the foundational concepts behind his archetypal theory, including the Anima.
10. “Psychological Types” (Volume 6)
This is the backbone of Jung’s typological theory, which will help you move beyond modern personality tests like the MBTI. Jung’s nuanced approach goes far deeper than any typological test.
11. “Psychotherapy” by Marie-Louise von Franz
As Jung’s most prominent student and colleague, von Franz carried forward his legacy with great care. This book offers a valuable perspective on Jungian psychotherapy.
Bonus Chapters on Dream Interpretation
V16 - The Practice of Psychotherapy – Chapter: “The Practical Use of Dream-Analysis”
V8 - Structure and Dynamics of The Psyche – Chapters: “The Transcendent Function,” “General Aspects of Dream Psychology,” and “On The Nature of Dreams”
V3 - Psychogenesis of Mental Diseases – Chapter: “On Psychological Understanding”
PS: For an in-depth exploration of the Animus, I highly recommend Barbara Hannah’s “The Animus: The Spirit of Inner Truth in Women.”
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You now have a solid foundation in Jungian psychology. I hope this guide inspires and supports your journey into Jung’s transformative ideas.