The Sacred Thread: The Development of Personality According to Hindu Traditions and Jungian Psychology

Contents: Foreword. Introduction. I. The sky above Kitini: 1. Venerating the ancestors. 2. Worshiping the Gods. 3. Looking inward. II. Pondering over Upanayan: 1. The symbolism of the sacred thread. 2. From vivid experiences to rigid doctrines. 3. The curse and the spiritual meaning of the caste system. III. Elements of sacred space: 1. Enclosing holy ground. 2. An image of the Universe. 3. The six-pointed star. 4. The cross and the centre in sacred architecture. 5. The renewal of life. IV. The Vedic sacrifice: 1. An archaic ritual. 2. Agni-in the service of Gods and humans. 3. Agnis dual nature. V. Somi s great day commences: 1. In praise of fullness. 2. New clothes. VI. Death and rebirth: 1. Dieting. 2. Being born a second time. 3. The second birth as a spiritual process. VII. In the garb of a yogin: 1. The way to the centre. 2. In the cave of the heart. 3. Contradictory tasks. VIII. An ordinary man among ordinary men: The final part of Upanayan. 2. The wisdom of Upanayan in the light of Indian and Nepali traditions. 3. The wisdom of Upanayan in the light of Jungian psychology. Annexures. The Sacred Thread is an ancient symbol of the invisible tie that links all living beings among each other as well as with their transcendental source of origin (strtman). In the Eastern tradition, women and men are considered to be mature personalities only if they not only fulfill their practical everyday duties, but also orient their lives towards a cosmic spiritual reality. Rudolf Högger, a Swiss psychologist who has spent much time of his life in Nepal and India, has accompanied a seven years old Hindu boy on his path of initiation (Upanayan) into this spiritual realm. In the present account, he not only describes a number of symbols and rituals which were instrumental in the process, but also draws parallels to many elements from the Buddhist, Jewish, Christian as well as Muslim traditions and offers respective interpretations in the light of Jungian psychology. Thus, the book builds helpful bridges between different cultures and religions, between East and West, between modernity and tradition. It encourages the reader to discover new meaning in his own religious practice and cultural environment. (jacket).